Two-time former champions England secured a spot in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup semifinals by defeating Pakistan by two wickets in a Super 8 stage match at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy. Captain Harry Brook made history by scoring a remarkable century, becoming the first captain to achieve this feat in a men’s T20 World Cup match. His century off 51 balls, comprising 10 fours and four sixes, helped England chase down Pakistan’s total of 164 for 9.
Brook’s milestone century marked a significant achievement as he became only the third England batter to score a T20 World Cup century, following in the footsteps of Alex Hales and Jos Buttler. Additionally, his century set a new record for the highest score by an England captain in men’s T20Is, surpassing the previous record of 98 set by Chris Gayle in 2010. Despite facing challenges during the chase, England’s captain led the charge with aggressive batting, well-supported by Sam Curran and Will Jacks.
In the bowling department, Liam Dawson shone by taking 3 wickets for 24 runs, playing a crucial role in restricting Pakistan on a flat batting pitch. Jamie Overton and Jofra Archer also contributed significantly with 2 wickets each, after Pakistan opted to bat first. Sahibzada Farhan top-scored for Pakistan with a steady 63 off 45 balls, while partnerships with Babar Azam and contributions from Fakhar Zaman and Shadab Khan added to the total. Despite Pakistan’s efforts, regular wickets hindered their momentum.
With this victory over Pakistan, following a win against Sri Lanka in the Super Eight stage and a washed-out match for Pakistan against New Zealand, England secured their place in the semifinals of the 2026 T20 World Cup.
