- Suggested slug: harry-brook-praises-arafat-minhas-tri-series-odi
- Category: Sports
- Focus keyphrase: Brook praised Minhas
- SEO title: Brook Praised Minhas After 6-40 Masterclass Against England
- Meta description: England captain Harry Brook called Arafat Minhas a standout performer after his 59 and 6-40 powered Pakistan to an 87-run ODI tri-series win.
- Tags: Harry Brook, Arafat Minhas, Pakistan vs England, ODI tri-series, Rawalpindi, Pakistan cricket, Hasan Nawaz, England cricket
- Original element: new post-match development — Brook’s press-conference remarks; context of Minhas’s rise (five-for on ODI debut in May) and Pakistan’s tri-series position built from verified sources.
- Source: Geo Super https://www.geosuper.tv/latest/60603-brook-lauds-minhas-after-match-winning-performance-in-odi-tri-series-clash (published 2026-10-21)
- Story date: Wednesday, 2026-10-21
- Image note: AFP wire photograph via The Express Tribune match report; caption must carry “Image: AFP”
Brook Praised Minhas After 6-40 Masterclass Against England
England captain Brook praised Minhas as “a standout performer by a mile” after the young Pakistan all-rounder destroyed his side with a maiden fifty and career-best 6 for 40 in the second ODI of the tri-series in Rawalpindi on Tuesday.
Brook, speaking at the post-match press conference after Pakistan’s 87-run win, admitted he had not realised how young Minhas was. “Is he under 21? I didn’t know that. He’s a nice bowler and bowled very well,” the England captain said.
“He was a standout performer by a mile. We’ve all seen videos of him, but we haven’t played against him much. I thought they fielded exceptionally well, too,” Brook added.
Why Brook praised Minhas
Minhas, the left-arm spinner, produced one of the finest all-round displays in recent Pakistan ODI history. He made 59 off 58 balls, his first ODI fifty, before returning figures of 6 for 40 in 8.4 overs, the best bowling of his short career. He was named player of the match.
Pakistan posted 302 for 9 after recovering from 81 for 4. Hasan Nawaz top-scored with 79 off 74 balls, his second ODI fifty, while Faheem Ashraf struck 39 off 26 and Saad Baig added 35.
In reply, England were bowled out for 215 in 38.4 overs despite a 91-run opening stand between Ben Duckett (45) and Tom Banton (57). Minhas removed Brook for five, then dismissed Will Jacks and Adil Rashid in successive deliveries, and ran out Gus Atkinson to finish the innings. Haris Rauf took 2 for 32, while Joe Root was bowled by Naseem Shah for 33.
Brook said dew had been a factor in England’s chase but admitted his side could have handled Minhas better. “We were pretty happy with restricting them to 300. We knew dew was going to play a factor, and it did,” he said. “We were slightly careful against him, but we could look to put him under a little more pressure next time we play against him.”
A star on the rise
Minhas has enjoyed a rapid rise. He took a five-wicket haul on his ODI debut in May, and his 6 for 40 against England surpassed that mark. After his match-winning display earlier in the week, he has now joined Shahid Afridi and Abdul Razzaq in an elite list of Pakistan all-rounders, as we reported.
The win was Pakistan’s second straight in the tri-series after beating Sri Lanka by 37 runs in the opener, and the hosts are now one win away from the final. England must beat Sri Lanka to keep their hopes alive.
Frequently asked questions
What did Harry Brook say about Arafat Minhas?
Brook said Minhas was “a standout performer by a mile,” adding: “Is he under 21? I didn’t know that. He’s a nice bowler and bowled very well.” He also praised Pakistan’s fielding.
What were Arafat Minhas’s figures against England?
Minhas scored 59 off 58 balls with the bat and took 6 for 40 in 8.4 overs with the ball, his career-best ODI bowling figures. He was named player of the match.
What is the tri-series standing after Pakistan’s win?
Pakistan have won both their matches, beating Sri Lanka in the opener and England on Tuesday. England must beat Sri Lanka to stay in contention for the final.
How old is Arafat Minhas?
Minhas is under 21, a fact that surprised England captain Harry Brook at the post-match press conference. He made his ODI debut in May, taking a five-wicket haul.
