Picture by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images. Harry Brook on the attack against Pakistan in Pallekele today.
Moeen Ali has heaped praise on his new county team-mate Harry Brook after the England captain fired his side into the T20 World Cup semi-finals this afternoon with a sensational 100 off 51 balls in a Super 8s win over Pakistan in Pallekele.
Brook batted at number three for the first time in his T20 international career and helped England chase down 165 to triumph by two wickets. He had previously been batting at number five in the order but came in with the chase at 0-1 after one ball following Phil Salt’s dismissal.
The White Rose star smashed 10 fours and four sixes, with his 14th international century being his first in this format for his country.
Brook, 27, has now scored centuries in all three formats of the game for England.
Moeen, who has signed on with Yorkshire to play in this summer’s Vitality Blast, is currently at the World Cup in Sri Lanka and India on punditry duties for Sky Sports.
Speaking after the game, he said of Brook: “Unreal. When he plays like that, he’s so good. And still, there’s so much more he can do. That was outstanding.
Picture by YCCC. Moeen Ali be wearing the White Rose in this summer’s Vitality Blast, possibly alongside Harry Brook if England commitments allow.
“I do feel like the more he plays there, in T20 cricket, he’ll score 130s and 150s a lot of the time when he plays like that.
“And I think he plays spin better once he’s played seamers early on.
“He just puts the pressure on the bowling. Even the good balls, he can hit for fours and sixes.
“He’s a ridiculous player when he’s playing like this. There’s not many better than him. He’s world-class.”
Brook’s fellow Yorkshireman, Adil Rashid, claimed 1-31 from his four overs of leg-spin to help restrict Pakistan to 164-9. England fell to 58-4 and 103-5 in reply, but Brook repaired the damage in quite breathtaking fashion.
England now await news of their last-four opponents. That will be played in India either next Thursday or Friday. Before then, they round off their Super 8s campaign against New Zealand in Colombo on Friday.