This sensational dismissal elevated Afridi above Kagiso Rabada in the powerplay wicket charts, with his tally now at 18 dismissals—the highest ever in T20 World Cups. England’s camp was left reeling early, forcing them to regroup in the high-stakes clash.

Pakistan’s batting card told a story of resilience amid collapses. After Salman Agha’s decision to bat first following a toss win, the top order crumbled with Sam Ayub out for 7 and the skipper managing just 5. Babar Azam (25 off 24) provided some stability, but Sahibzada Farhan emerged as the hero, crafting a masterful 63* off 45 balls laced with seven boundaries and a brace of sixes.

Fakhar Zaman’s brisk 25 off 16 and Shadab Khan’s explosive 23 off 11 pushed the total to 164/9. England’s bowling attack, led by spinner Liam Dawson’s 3/24, proved formidable. Jofra Archer snared 2/32, and Jamie Overton claimed 2/26 in a tight spell. With Afridi replacing Faheem Ashraf in the XI, Pakistan’s strategic tweak paid immediate dividends, setting up an intriguing second innings.

Set 165 to win, England wobbled at 8 for 164 but Brook’s unbeaten 100 off 51 balls – laced with 10 fours and 4 sixes – guided them home in 19.1 overs. Jacks’ 28 off 23 added momentum in the chase.

Pakistan’s attack was led by Afridi’s fiery 4/30, with Nawaz and Tariq taking 2 wickets apiece. Their batting innings saw Farhan’s classy 63 off 45 anchor the total to 164/9. Azam (25), Zaman (25 off 16), and Khan (23 off 11) contributed, but early collapses hurt.

Dawson was England’s bowling hero, bagging 3/24 in his spell. Archer and Overton supported with 2 wickets each, restricting Pakistan effectively.

Building on their Sri Lanka rout, England’s back-to-back wins confirm semifinal progression. Pakistan, captained by Agha, must demolish New Zealand on the 27th and hope for miracles in other games to advance. This result intensifies the Super-8 drama.

Victory here catapults England into the semi-finals via a top-two finish. But cracks in their batting lineup against spin are glaring—Sunday’s game saw four top-order players falter against Sri Lanka’s tweakers. Pakistan’s spin battery is loaded: Tariq’s pausing off-spinners, Shadab’s all-round guile, Abrar’s mystery, plus Ayub, Agha, and Nawaz.

Tariq’s pre-delivery halt has captivated fans and even prompted England skipper Harry Brook to imitate it during practice. Dawson, a limited-overs veteran, urges a broader focus.

‘Pakistan fields a strong side full of threats,’ Dawson told the media Monday. ‘Tariq’s quality is undeniable, but we won’t zero in on him alone. Our plan targets the entire opposition to find ways to outsmart them.’

His 7-wicket haul with Jacks and Rashid was pivotal in Sri Lanka’s collapse. Dawson highlighted their diverse skills: Jacks’ bounce, Rashid’s tricks, his own control. ‘I’m the defensive option, always reliable for the skipper. With our collective experience—mine and Adil’s T20 hauls, Jacks’ growing prowess—we back everyone on the park.’

As pitches potentially improve, England eyes exploiting this variety to counter Pakistan’s spin dominance. A smart, team-oriented strategy could seal their semi-final berth in this pivotal encounter.