Brook's first T20 century propels England into World Cup semifinals

PALLEKELE, Sri Lanka (AP) — Harry Brook hadn't exactly been firing at the Twenty20 World Cup. England scraped into the Super Eights and the captain's contribution before Tuesday was 102 runs in five games with one half-century.

Coach Brendon McCullum stopped Brook in the morning and suggested he move up the batting order from No. 5 to No. 3. “Pakistan is your team,” McCullum suggested.

Brook validated the move with his maiden T20 international century as England beat Pakistan by two wickets and reached an unprecedented fifth consecutive T20 World Cup semifinal.

Brook's 100 propelled England to 166-8, overhauling Pakistan's 164-9 with five balls to spare.

“We've come here to do that job (reach the semifinals) and we got it done,” he said.

England did it with a game to spare in the Super Eights, despite a chase that started shakily.

Shaheen Shah Afridi dismissed Phil Salt, Jos Buttler and Jacob Bethell in the powerplay and eclipsed Haris Rauf as the team's highest-ever T20 wicket-taker. When Tom Banton was caught behind off spinner Usman Tariq, England was 58-4.

But Brook took on the Pakistan bowlers, aggressive from the start. With support from Sam Curran and Will Jacks he reached 50 runs off 28 balls, charged past his previous T20 high of 81 against Pakistan in 2022, and reached the milestone 100 off 50 balls.

“Just happy to get the job done, to be honest,” Brook said. “We were in a tricky situation to start.”

England’s XI was unchanged for the fifth straight match but McCullum wanted to shake up the batting order, and Brook, by playing his captain at first drop.

“We wanted to try and maximize the powerplay a little more,” Brook said. “They know I like to take the game on. Thankfully it came off.”

After reaching triple figures — giving him a century in all three formats —- Brook was out the next delivery, bowled when he missed a yorker in Afridi's return spell.

Afridi, who took 4-30 and has 135 T20 wickets (two more than Rauf), shook Brook's hand and the captain walked off to an ovation.

Brook smacked 10 boundaries and four sixes to leave England 10 runs from victory.

England lost two more wickets to left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz before Jofra Archer sealed the game by pulling left-arm fast bowler Salman Mirza for four off the first ball of the final over.

Pakistan chose to bat first on a fresh pitch but opener Sahibzada Farhan's 63 off 45 balls was the only score more than 25 for Pakistan.

England express paceman Archer took 2-32 and spinners Liam Dawson (3-24) and Adil Rashid slowed the run rate through the middle overs.

“Our score was a bit short,” Pakistan captain Salman Agha said. “And then Brook took the game away from us. We threw everything at him. Harry batted brilliantly. Whenever we play against England and lose, it's always him.”

Pakistan has had a washout and a loss and still has to play Sri Lanka in Group 2. Its chances of advancing will also depend on other results.

England has won all five of its games in Pallekele in the last 3 1/2 weeks and will finish the Super Eights in Colombo against New Zealand on Friday.

New Zealand plays Sri Lanka there on Wednesday.

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

Pakistan's Sahibzada Farhan plays a shot during the T20 World Cup cricket match between England and Pakistan in Pallekele, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

Pakistan's Shaheen Shah Afridi appeals unsuccessfully for the wicket of England's Jos Buttler, left, during the T20 World Cup cricket match between England and Pakistan in Pallekele, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

England's captain Harry Brook plays a shot during the T20 World Cup cricket match between England and Pakistan in Pallekele, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

England's captain Harry Brook celebrates his century during the T20 World Cup cricket match between England and Pakistan in Pallekele, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

England's captain Harry Brook, centre, tosses the coin as Pakistan's captain Salman Ali Agha looks on before the start of the T20 World Cup cricket match between England and Pakistan in Pallekele, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

DEDHAM, Mass. (AP) — Jury selection began Monday in the assault trial of former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs in connection with a heated dispute he had with his private chef.

The four-time Pro Bowl wideout pleaded not guilty in February to a felony strangulation charge and a misdemeanor assault and battery charge stemming from the alleged dispute with his former private chef.

Diggs declined to speak to reporters as he arrived at Norfolk County District Court in Dedham, a Boston suburb.

According to court records, the chef told officers that she and Diggs had argued about money he owed her for work. During the Dec. 2 encounter at his home in Dedham, Massachusetts, she said, he “smacked her across the face” and then “tried to choke her using the crook of his elbow around her neck,” leaving her feeling short of breath. She told officers she had trouble breathing and felt she could have blacked out.

Diggs’ attorney has said he “categorically denies these allegations,” calling them unsubstantiated and motivated by a financial dispute. Diggs did not speak to reporters outside court in February.

Diggs signed a three-year, $69 million contract with New England last year and was a key target for quarterback Drake Maye during the Patriots’ AFC East title run. Before joining the Patriots, Diggs was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 2015 and played for the Buffalo Bills before a brief stint with the Houston Texans in 2024.

Diggs’ 1,000-yard season with the Patriots marked the seventh of his career. It helped complete a successful career revival after a season-ending knee injury derailed what turned out to be a one-year stay with the Houston Texans in 2024.

Diggs, who led the team with 85 receptions and 1,013 yards receiving with four touchdowns in his only season with the Patriots, was released by the team in March. Diggs posted a goodbye on social media, thanking the Patriots for the season and saying: “We family forever.”

Diggs has yet to sign with another team.

Former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs arrives at Norfolk County District Court, Monday, May 4, 2026, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs arrives at Norfolk County District Court, Monday, May 4, 2026, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs arrives at Norfolk County District Court, Monday, May 4, 2026, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs arrives at Norfolk County District Court, Monday, May 4, 2026, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs arrives at Norfolk County District Court, Monday, May 4, 2026, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)