Harry Brook's Century Leads England to Semifinals in T20 World Cup 2026

Pakistan Captain Acknowledges Brook's Performance

In a thrilling Super 8s match of the T20 World Cup 2026 held in Pallekele, Pakistan's captain Salman Ali Agha praised England's Harry Brook after he scored a stunning century, leading his team to a two-wicket victory. This win marked England as the first team to secure a semifinal spot in this edition of the tournament. Chasing a target of 165 runs, Brook's explosive innings of 100 runs off just 51 balls proved crucial, especially after England faced early challenges in their chase.

Salman Ali Agha's Post-Match Remarks

During the post-match presentation, Agha reflected on Pakistan's performance, noting that while they started strong with the bat, they ultimately fell short of a competitive total. He expressed admiration for Brook's innings, stating, "Hats off to him," acknowledging that despite Pakistan's efforts, Brook's performance was decisive. Agha also highlighted Sahibzada Farhan's consistent contributions throughout the tournament, while recognizing that fluctuations in player performance are common in World Cups.

Brook's Historic Achievement

Brook's century was historic, as it marked the first time a captain scored a century in T20 World Cup history. England initially struggled at 58/4 but Brook's aggressive batting turned the tide. Despite a late collapse and a four-wicket haul from Shaheen Afridi, England managed to reach 166/8 in 19.1 overs, with Jofra Archer hitting the winning boundary.

Pakistan's Performance and Tournament Outcome

Earlier in the match, Sahibzada Farhan scored 63 runs off 45 balls, helping Pakistan set a total of 164/9 after opting to bat first. England's bowlers, particularly Liam Dawson with figures of 3/24, effectively restricted Pakistan's scoring. With two victories in their Super 8 matches, England secured their place in the semifinals, while Pakistan, following a washout and this defeat, was eliminated from the tournament.