Harry Brook Leads England to Semifinals with Stunning Century Against Pakistan
England Triumphs Over Pakistan in T20 World Cup
Harry Brook, the captain of England, expressed his joy after leading his team to a thrilling two-wicket victory against Pakistan in their Super 8s match during the T20 World Cup 2026 on Tuesday. This win marked England as the first team to secure a spot in the semifinals of this tournament.
Brook delivered an outstanding performance, scoring a remarkable 100 runs off 51 balls while England chased a target of 165. His efforts were crucial in overcoming a challenging situation during the match, earning him the Player of the Match accolade.
Brook Reflects on Batting Position and Semifinal Aspirations
In the post-match interview, Brook expressed satisfaction in helping England advance to the semifinals and is now setting his sights on the upcoming match against New Zealand. He mentioned that coach Brendon McCullum had moved him up to bat at No. 3, a shift from his previous position at No. 5 in earlier matches. "It's great to make it to the semis. We have one more game against New Zealand to focus on. Baz approached me this morning about changing my batting order, and it was a brave decision that paid off," Brook stated.
'Pleased to Achieve the Win'
Brook acknowledged Pakistan's strength as a team filled with exceptional talent, emphasizing his contentment with the victory rather than focusing on personal achievements. He remarked, "Pakistan always poses a challenge with their world-class players. I'm just glad we managed to secure the win. There are always areas for improvement, and while perfection is unattainable, we continuously strive for it. I was simply happy to get the job done, especially after facing a tough start. A couple of partnerships helped us get through."
Match Summary: England's Chase
With this victory, England has effectively eliminated Pakistan from the tournament. In their chase of 165 runs, England faced early setbacks, finding themselves at 58/4. However, Brook's explosive century, the first by a captain in T20 World Cup history, turned the tide. Despite a late-game collapse and a four-wicket haul from Shaheen Afridi (4/30), England maintained their composure, with Jofra Archer hitting the winning boundary to finish at 166/8 in 19.1 overs.
Pakistan's Performance
Earlier in the match, Pakistan opted to bat first, with Sahibzada Farhan scoring 63 runs off 45 balls, leading his team to a total of 164/9. England's bowlers, particularly Liam Dawson, who took 3 wickets for 24 runs, played a pivotal role in restricting Pakistan's score.
England's Semifinal Qualification
With two victories in their Super 8 matches, England has confirmed their place in the semifinals.