England’s heart-stopping 2-wicket win over Pakistan at Pallekele catapults them into the T20 World Cup 2026 semis, courtesy of skipper Harry Brook’s groundbreaking 100—the first by a captain in tournament lore.
Striding in at 3 after Salt’s first-ball exit, Brook unleashed fury: 51 balls, 100 runs, 10 fours, 4 sixes at 196 SR. Shattering Gayle’s 98-run captaincy mark from 2010, he delivered under immense pressure.
With Buttler gone early too, Brook’s resilience shone in 45 runs with Curran (5th wicket) and a half-century link with Jacks, masterminding the chase.
Pakistan’s 164/9 hinged on Farhan’s valiant 63 (7 fours, 2 sixes), undermined by Babar’s 25 (24), Fakhar’s 25 (16), and Shadab’s 23 (11).
Liam Dawson spearheaded with 3/24, Archer and Overton bagging pairs. This win showcases Brook’s tactical acumen and batting prowess, setting England up for semi-final fireworks.