In a heart-pounding encounter at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, England captain Harry Brook delivered a masterclass with his maiden T20 international century, guiding his team to a tense two-wicket victory over Pakistan in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 stage.
The win not only avenged past rivalries but also confirmed England’s spot in the semifinals with a game to spare, becoming the first team to advance.
Pakistan, opting to bat first after winning the toss under captain Agha Salman, posted a competitive 164/9 in their 20 overs. Opener Sahibzada Farhan top-scored with a gritty 63, providing a solid foundation alongside contributions from Babar Azam (18) and others. However, England’s spin attack, led by Liam Dawson’s economical 3-24, kept the scoring in check, restricting Pakistan despite a late flurry.
Chasing 165 on a tricky pitch that offered turn and bounce, England stumbled early, losing wickets to Pakistan’s pace spearhead Shaheen Afridi, who claimed an impressive 4-30. With the scoreboard reading precariously at times, it was Brook who took charge, promoting himself to No. 3 and unleashing a barrage of boundaries. His unbeaten 100 came off just 50 balls, featuring aggressive strokeplay that turned the tide in England’s favor.
The match went down to the wire, with England needing 5 runs off the final over. Jofra Archer hit the winning boundary off Salman Mirza, sealing the chase at 166/8 in 19.1 overs amid jubilant scenes from the English camp.
Pakistan’s bowlers fought valiantly, with Afridi’s spell highlighting their threat, but Brook’s innings proved decisive. “It was about staying calm under pressure,” Brook said post-match. “The boys showed great character to pull this off.”
This result puts Pakistan’s semifinal hopes in jeopardy, as they now face a must-win scenario in their remaining Super 8 matches.
Player of the Match
Harry Brook (England) for his match-winning century.
This thrilling contest underscores the unpredictability of T20 cricket and sets the stage for an exciting knockout phase in the tournament co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
