In one of the T20 World Cup 2026’s most gripping contests, England captain Harry Brook delivered a match-winning 100 from 51 balls to guide his side past Pakistan by two wickets. The successful pursuit of 165 in tense fashion underscores Brook’s growing stature as a white-ball maestro.
The innings began disastrously: Phil Salt duck, Jos Buttler 2 (both to Shaheen Afridi), Bethell 8, Banton 2. At 4 for 4, England teetered on the brink.
Brook, slotted at No. 3 for the first time internationally, rebuilt with Curran (16) via a 45-run alliance. Brook then unleashed, blending finesse with firepower – 10 fours, 4 sixes – to his career-best score.
Will Jacks’ brisk 28 sustained momentum, but Nawaz’s 19th-over double blow (Jacks, Overton) ratcheted up pressure. Archer’s boundary on the final over’s opener delivered victory amid roars from the crowd.
Pakistan’s 164/9 was built around Farhan’s 63 (45 balls), Zaman 25, Azam 25, Khan 23 (11). Dawson’s miserly 3/24 headlined England’s attack, with Archer 2/32 and Overton 2 wickets. Afridi’s 4/30 and Usman Tariq’s 2 kept them in hunt.
England’s consecutive Super 8 successes fortify their semifinal charge; Pakistan’s loss dims their prospects in a must-win scenario ahead.