Brook ton leads England to nervy win over Pakistan and T20 World Cup semis

PALLEKELE, Sri Lanka, Feb 24 : England captain Harry Brook smashed a blistering century to lead his side into the Twenty20 World Cup semi-finals with a nail-biting two-wicket victory over Pakistan in their Super Eight match on Tuesday.

Brook's heroics came after Pakistan's Shaheen Shah Afridi (4-30) had torn through England's top order with a devastating spell, leaving the former champions reeling at 35-3 chasing 165 for victory.

The skipper, who moved up to number three, notched his highest T20 international score, reaching three figures in 50 balls with 10 fours and four sixes before England stumbled over the line after losing wickets at the death.

Brook said the decision to come in at number three was masterminded by coach Brendon McCullum.

"He came to me this morning and just said, 'Look, we might change you up and put you up at three today'," Brook said.

"We've spoken about adapting and changing all sorts throughout this competition. Just having the bravery to do that today was awesome."

WORST POSSIBLE START TO CHASE

England's chase got off to the worst possible start when wicketkeeper Usman Khan caught Phil Salt off the first ball of the innings by Afridi, and he also pouched Jos Buttler.

Afridi's third victim was Jacob Bethell, caught in the deep, before Usman Tariq made amends for an earlier dropped catch by striking first ball to dismiss Tom Banton, with the keeper taking his third catch of the innings.

Brook was the only player to thrive with the bat even as England slid to 103-5 as he continued to lose partners.

As England inched closer to the target, Afridi returned for his final over and claimed the captain's wicket with his last ball when he had him bowled, shaking the captain's hand as he walked back to the