Harry Brook powers England to win over Pakistan in final T20 World Cup warm-up
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Harry Brook took top billing as England warmed up for the T20 World Cup with a six-wicket win over Pakistan in a low-key affair at Brisbane.
Liam Livingstone marked his return from an ankle injury with 28 from 16 deliveries while Brook’s 45 not out off 24 balls helped England overhaul a 161-run target with ease.
The pair seem to be in a shootout for one middle-order spot in England’s first World Cup match against Afghanistan in Perth and it may be that what happened at the Gabba has no bearing on who they choose.
After all, this match had no official T20 status – with both sides allowed to dip into as many of their 15-man squads as they wanted – and there were no fans present for what boiled down to an International Cricket Council obligation, one left-arm seamer David Willey admitted England “could do without”.
There were also boundary-laden cameos from Ben Stokes (36 off 18) and Sam Curran (33 not out off 14) as England overhauled their target with 26 balls to spare in a match reduced to 19 overs each due to rain.
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Their cause was helped by some shoddy fielding from Pakistan, which included Livingstone being dropped off successive deliveries although he briefly sparkled with a couple of meaty sixes.
One cleared the ground, which underlined his status as one of the biggest hitters in the world, while Livingstone also took one for eight from two overs, putting the brakes on Pakistan after a fast start.
Neither Babar Azam nor Mohammad Rizwan batted for Pakistan, who were captained by Shadab Khan, but Shan Masood top-scored with 39 from 22 balls in his side’s 160 for eight after being promoted to opener.
England used eight different bowlers, with only Chris Jordan completing his four-over quota, while Willey was the pick of the attack as he finished with figures of two for 22.
Jos Buttler dropped down the order – and in the event did not bat at all – as Alex Hales and Phil Salt began England’s reply, although neither made it to double figures.
Earlier, India took four wickets in four balls to claim an unlikely six-run victory over Australia at the same venue.
Tasked with defending seven off the last four deliveries, Mohammed Shami, bowling his first over of the match, took three wickets while there was also a run out as Australia capitulated at the death.
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