SPORTS DESK (MNN); Following England’s dramatic two-wicket victory over Pakistan in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Super Eight clash on Tuesday, Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi admitted that his team’s qualification hopes are now dependent on other results.
Pakistan have managed just one point from two Super Eight fixtures. To keep their semifinal hopes alive, they must defeat Sri Lanka in their final match on Saturday and rely on favorable outcomes elsewhere.
“We understand that our fate is not in our own hands,” Afridi said after the match. “We have to win our last game against Sri Lanka and then hope other teams’ results go our way. It’s not an ideal situation, but that’s how it stands.”
Afridi praised England captain Harry Brook for what he described as a world-class innings. Brook smashed his maiden T20 International century off just 50 balls, striking 10 fours and four sixes, guiding England to chase down 165 with five balls remaining.
Pakistan had earlier set a target of 165 after posting 164 for 8 in their 20 overs at Pallekele Stadium in Sri Lanka.
Afridi rattled England’s top order early, removing Phil Salt on the first ball and later dismissing Jos Buttler and Jacob Bethell, leaving England struggling at 35 for 3 in the powerplay. However, Brook steadied the innings, adding 45 runs with Sam Curran and 52 with Will Jacks.
Brook’s hundred was the second-fastest in T20 World Cup history and the first ever by a team captain. Only Chris Gayle scored a quicker century in the tournament, reaching the milestone in 47 balls against England in 2016.
Afridi eventually bowled Brook with a yorker immediately after he reached his century, but instead of celebrating wildly, he congratulated the England skipper in a gesture of sportsmanship.
“Brook played proper cricket shots and deserved appreciation. That’s why I went and shook his hand,” Afridi said.
Earlier, Pakistan’s innings saw Sahibzada Farhan anchor the total with a composed 63, supported by a 46-run stand between Babar Azam and Farhan, and a 49-run partnership with Fakhar Zaman. Shadab Khan’s unbeaten 23 off 11 balls provided late momentum.
For England, Liam Dawson claimed three wickets, while Jofra Archer and Jamie Overton took two each. Adil Rashid picked up one wicket.
England chased the target in the final over, finishing at 165 for 8 to seal a semifinal spot. With this defeat, Pakistan’s campaign now hinges on net run rate and other match results.
