Defending an under-par rating in Kandy, Shaheen Afridi gave Pakistan the right begin as he dismissed the in-form Phil Salt off the primary ball of the innings.
Dropped from the taking part in XI within the earlier match, Afridi marked his return with a supply that angled throughout the right-handed Salt, who nicked it to wicket-keeper Usman Khan. Afridi despatched again Jos Buttler again in related style, after which had Jacob Bethell miscuing a shot sq. of the wicket that was caught fantastically by Farhan.
England ended powerplay on 53/3. Like Afridi, thriller spinner Usman Tariq struck on the primary ball, as he had Tom Banton caught behind.
After the early fall of wickets, Brook, who was promoted to No 3 within the line-up, steadied the innings, together with Sam Curran, with a 45-run partnership. Whereas he ran laborious between the wickets, Brook additionally selected his moments nicely, punishing each unfastened ball that got here his means. It was simply the form of frequent sense batting England wanted to dig out of hassle.
Brook’s 52-run partnership with Will Jacks that took the sport away from Pakistan. The England captain introduced up his first T20I hundred in type, punching a six over cowl and following it up with a 4 by way of mid-off.
When Brook was dismissed, England had been already on brink of victory, at 155/6. However they misplaced three wickets within the house of six runs to inject some late drama into the match. Going into the final over, England wanted three runs, with two wickets in hand. Archer prevented any extra delay, as he pulled by way of mid-wicket for a 4.
Afridi was the choose of the Pakistan bowlers, ending with 4/30 in 4 overs whereas Tariq and Mohammad Nawaz claimed two wickets every.
