England captain Harry Brook played a brilliant innings to guide England to a thrilling two-wicket victory against Pakistan in the Super Eight stage of the T20 World Cup 2026 at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. The defeat has made Pakistan’s chances of reaching the semi-finals more difficult.
England had a very poor start to their chase. Opener Phil Salt was dismissed on the very first ball, caught behind by Usman Khan. Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi struck again in the next over, removing Jos Buttler and putting England under early pressure.
Jacob Bethell got a life after a dropped catch, but could not stay long and was later caught by Sahibzada Farhan. England kept losing wickets at important moments, which kept Pakistan in the game.
Harry Brook then played an outstanding innings and changed the match. He reached his fifty in just 28 balls with five fours and two sixes. Brook continued his aggressive batting and completed his first T20 international century in only 50 balls.
Brook also built an important 52-run partnership with Will Jacks that helped England move closer to the target. He was dismissed soon after completing his hundred.
England still needed 10 runs in the last three overs, but Jofra Archer hit a boundary in the final over to finish the match and secure victory for England.
Earlier, Pakistan scored 164 runs for 9 wickets in 20 overs. Sahibzada Farhan was the top scorer with 63 runs off 43 balls, including seven fours and two sixes, but Pakistan’s batting struggled again.