Harry Brook’s side have been unconvincing against the turning ball and will face a team that has an attack packed with spinning options

After four wins in five games, and now just one away from sealing a place in the semi‑finals, it is hard to describe England’s progress through the World Cup as ugly. But it hasn’t been straightforward. Like an inverted swan, everyone can see them struggling – yet somehow their progress has been, up to this point, serene.

There are no bonus points available for artistic merit and to win tournaments it is necessary only to be, at each stage, slightly better than your opponents. Australia’s T20 champions of 2021, for example, were a side few considered the best in that competition – and were notably annihilated by England in the group stages – until Aaron Finch raised the trophy in Dubai.

• Sahibzada Farhan ‘very hopeful’ of securing a deal

• Pakistan players make up 63 of 710-man auction longlist

Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan has said he remains hopeful of securing a contract to play in the Hundred this year, despite reports that the tournament’s four Indian-owned teams will not consider signing players from the country, but he admitted that selection decisions are “not in our hands”.

Farhan, who is the leading run-scorer at the T20 World Cup, is one of 63 Pakistani players on the 710-name longlist put forward for the men’s auction on 12 March. Despite the rumours, more Pakistani players have made themselves available than those from any other foreign country with all but two of the country’s 15-man World Cup squad hoping for a deal.