Brilliant Harry Brook Century Leads England to 2-Wicket Win Over Pakistan
The Super 8 showdown between Pakistan and England produced a gripping contest in the T20 World Cup 2026, with Brook fighting to boost their semifinal hopes. Packed with high-pressure moments and game-changing performances, the match swung back and forth before England eventually held their nerve to seal a dramatic win.
Player of the Match
Harry Brook — 100 (51)
Harry Brook delivered a breathtaking century under pressure, steering England’s chase with a perfect mix of aggression and composure. His ability to control the tempo and find boundaries at crucial stages proved to be the difference, guiding England to a thrilling two-wicket victory.
Pakistan Innings — 164/9 (20 overs)
After winning the toss and opting to bat, Pakistan built a competitive total but were unable to fully capitalize in the latter stages.
Key Contributions
Sahibzada Farhan — 63 (45): Held the innings together with a steady knock.
Fakhar Zaman — 25 (16): Provided early impetus with attacking strokes.
Babar Azam — 25 (24): Added stability in the middle overs.
England Bowling Highlights
Liam Dawson — 3/24 (4): Controlled the middle overs brilliantly.
Jamie Overton — 2/26 (3): Delivered timely breakthroughs.
Jofra Archer — 2/32 (4): Struck at key moments.
England Chase — 166/8 (19.1 overs)
England’s reply was far from straightforward, but Brook’s masterclass anchored the pursuit despite regular wickets falling at the other end.
Key Contributions
Harry Brook — 100 (51): A match-winning innings of the highest quality.
Will Jacks — 28 (23): Offered important middle-order support.
Sam Curran — 16 (15): Helped close out the tense finish.
Pakistan Bowling Highlights
Shaheen Afridi — 4/30 (4): A fiery spell that nearly turned the game.
Mohammad Nawaz — 2/26 (3): Maintained pressure through the middle overs.
Usman Tariq — 2/31 (4): Picked up valuable wickets.
Match Details
Toss: Pakistan chose to bat
Venue: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
Result: England won by 2 wickets
Player of the Match: Harry Brook (100 off 51 balls)
Key Takeaways
Brook’s century was the defining performance of the match.
Pakistan’s 164 proved competitive but not quite enough.
Shaheen Afridi’s four-wicket haul stood out despite the loss.
Super Eights — Group 2 Standings
| Rank | Team | Matches | Won | Lost | N/R | Points | NRR | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | England (Q) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | +1.491 | Dominant performances secured early semifinal qualification with strong net run rate. |
| 2 | New Zealand | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0.000 | No-result opener keeps qualification hopes balanced ahead of crucial fixtures. |
| 3 | Pakistan | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -0.461 | Mixed results put pressure on remaining matches to stay in contention. |
| 4 | Sri Lanka | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -2.550 | Opening defeat leaves team needing must-win performances to remain competitive. |
Key Insight
England have officially booked their semifinal spot with consecutive victories. Meanwhile, New Zealand and Pakistan remain in the hunt, while Sri Lanka must secure wins in their remaining fixtures to stay alive in the tournament.
