England’s captain Harry Brook delivered a career-defining performance, smashing his maiden T20I hundred to steer his team into the T20 World Cup 2026 semifinals ahead of the pack. The two-wicket triumph over Pakistan in Super-8 action at Pallekele was a testament to their resilience.
Needing 165, England reached the target in 19.1 overs for 8, thanks to Brook’s dominant 100 off 51 (10 fours, 4 sixes). Jacks’ brisk 28 off 23 complemented the effort amid a top-order collapse.
Pakistan resisted with Afridi’s lethal 4/30 and two-wicket hauls from Nawaz and Tariq. Their 164/9 was built around Farhan’s elegant 63 (45 balls). Azam fell for 25 after a promising start, Zaman made 25 (16), and Shadab accelerated with 23 (11).
Liam Dawson’s 3/24 proved decisive, with Archer and Overton grabbing 2/ each to curb Pakistan’s scoring.
With a prior win over Sri Lanka, England locks in semis. Pakistan’s campaign hangs by a thread; Agha’s men confront New Zealand on the 27th, requiring a huge margin and kind results from rivals to sneak through.