Brook’s century powers England into T20 World Cup semis

Harry Brook’s Historic Century Powers England Past Pakistan and Into T20 World Cup Semifinals

England became the first team to secure a place in the T20 World Cup 2026 semifinals after captain Harry Brook struck a sensational century to guide his side to a two-wicket victory over Pakistan in Pallekele on Tuesday. Brook’s 100 off 51 balls — the first century by a captain in the history of the men’s T20 World Cup — rescued England from a perilous position as they chased down 165 in a tense Super 8 Group 2 encounter at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy, Sri Lanka.theguardian

Brook Delivers Under Pressure

Pakistan, led by stand-in captain Salman Agha, won the toss and elected to bat. Opener Sahibzada Farhan continued his impressive tournament form with 63 off 45 balls, while Shadab Khan’s late cameo of 23 off 11 balls helped Pakistan post 164 for nine in their 20 overs. Liam Dawson was the standout bowler for England with figures of 3-24, while Jofra Archer and Jamie Overton each claimed two wickets.indiatoday

England’s chase began disastrously. Shaheen Shah Afridi, recalled to the side for this match, dismissed Phil Salt for a golden duck with the first ball of the innings and then accounted for Jos Buttler cheaply, leaving England reeling. Jacob Bethell added just eight before falling, and Tom Banton managed only two, leaving England at 16 for four with four of the top five gone for single figures.skysports

Brook, who had been promoted to number three, walked in at 0 for one and proceeded to take the Pakistan attack apart. He struck 10 fours and four sixes, reaching his century off 50 deliveries before falling on the next ball for exactly 100. The innings equaled Chris Gayle’s 50-ball century against South Africa in 2007 as the joint second-fastest in T20 World Cup history. According to The Guardian, as Brook departed, several Pakistan players approached to shake his hand — a tribute to the quality of the knock.indiatoday

Pakistan’s Slim Hopes

Will Jacks contributed 28 and Sam Curran made 16, but a late flurry of wickets from Mohammad Nawaz and Usman Tariq injected drama into the final overs. Shaheen finished with 4-30, but England completed the chase in 19.1 overs, winning by two wickets with five balls to spare.cricketsky

The result takes England to four points from two Super 8 matches, confirming their semifinal qualification with one group game still to play against New Zealand. For Pakistan, who have just one point after a washout against New Zealand and this defeat, the path forward is narrow. According to NDTV Sports, Pakistan must beat Sri Lanka in their final Super 8 match on February 28 and then rely on other results and a favorable net run rate to have any chance of progressing.heavy