The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 just witnessed its most clinical captain’s knock yet. In a high-stakes Super 8 clash at Pallekele, England edged past Pakistan by 2 wickets, becoming the first team to officially secure a spot in the semifinals.
If you missed the action, here is the breakdown of a match that shifted from a Pakistani power-play masterclass to a Harry Brook heist.
The First Innings: Pakistan’s Gritty 164
Pakistan opted to bat first, and while the top order saw early exits—Saim Ayub (7) and Salman Agha (5) falling cheaply—Sahibzada Farhan anchored the ship. His 63 off 45 balls was the backbone of the innings, supported by steady 25s from Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman.
At 122/3 in the 16th over, a 180+ total looked certain. However, England’s death bowling was relentless:
* Liam Dawson turned the tide with 3/24.
* Jamie Overton and Jofra Archer chipped in with 2 wickets each.
* Pakistan lost 6 wickets for just 52 runs in the final five overs, finishing at 164/9.
The Chase: A Captain's Century for the History Books
England’s pursuit started in disaster. Shaheen Shah Afridi was a man possessed, removing Phil Salt for a golden duck on the very first ball. Within the Powerplay, England was reeling at 35/3, with stars like Jos Buttler and Jacob Bethell back in the shed.
Then came the "Baz" masterplan. Promoted to No. 3, Harry Brook played an innings of pure calculated aggression.
* The Landmark: Brook smashed a 51-ball 100, featuring 10 boundaries and 4 towering sixes.
* The Record: He became the first captain to score a century in T20 World Cup history.
* The Support: Will Jacks (28 off 23) played the perfect second fiddle in a 52-run partnership that broke Pakistan's spirit.
The Final Drama
Even after Brook’s dismissal (bowled by Shaheen right after reaching his ton), a late-game wobble saw England lose 3 wickets for 6 runs. With 3 runs needed in the final over and 2 wickets left, Jofra Archer held his nerve, pulling a boundary through mid-wicket to seal the win with 5 balls to spare.
Match Summary Table
| Category | Top Performer | Stats |
| Highest Scorer (PAK) | Sahibzada Farhan | 63 (45) |
| Highest Scorer (ENG) | Harry Brook (POTM) | 100 (51) |
| Best Bowler (PAK) | Shaheen Shah Afridi | 4/30 (4.0) |
| Best Bowler (ENG) | Liam Dawson | 3/24 (4.0) |
"It was all Baz. He told me this morning, 'Go at three and have the bravery to change things up.' I just wanted to face as many balls as possible." — Harry Brook, England Captain.
What This Means for the Tournament
* England (Qualified): They move to 4 points and are safely into the semifinals.
* Pakistan (On Life Support): With only 1 point from 2 games, they MUST beat Sri Lanka on Saturday and hope for other results to go their way.
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ur thoughts in the comments!
