Harry Brook's Historic Century Leads England to T20 World Cup Semi-Finals
Brook's Remarkable Performance
In a stunning display of skill, Harry Brook achieved one of the most memorable innings in T20 World Cup history, scoring 100 runs off just 51 deliveries against Pakistan. This remarkable feat occurred after he moved up to the number three batting position, helping England secure a thrilling two-wicket victory with five balls remaining on February 24 at the Pallekele International Stadium. Despite losing three wickets during the powerplay, Brook's aggressive batting ensured his team crossed the finish line on a challenging pitch. Prior to this match, Brook had struggled in the tournament, accumulating only 102 runs in five innings, but his strategic decision to alter his batting order proved to be a game-changer. England maintained their unbeaten streak in the Super 8 stage, having previously defeated Sri Lanka by 51 runs on February 22.
Harry Brook Sets New Records
Historic Achievement
Harry Brook made history by becoming the first captain to score a century in the 10th edition of the T20 World Cup. The previous record for the highest individual score was held by the legendary Chris Gayle, who scored 98 runs against India in 2010 and had maintained this record for 16 years.
Highest Individual Scores By A Captain In T20 WC History| Player | Runs | Innings | Team | Opponent | Venue | Year |
| Harry Brook | 100 | 2 | England | Pakistan | Pallekele | 2026 |
| Chris Gayle | 98 | 1 | West Indies | India | Barbados | 2010 |
| L Tucker | 94* | 1 | Ireland | Oman | Colombo (SSC) | 2026 |
| Rohit Sharma | 92 | 1 | India | Australia | Gros Islet | 2024 |
| Chris Gayle | 88 | 2 | West Indies | Australia | Oval | 2009 |
Additionally, Brook is the first player in T20 World Cup history to score a century against Pakistan, breaking the previous record held by Shakib Al Hasan since 2012. The highest score in a run-chase against Pakistan was previously set by Virat Kohli, who scored 82 runs in the 2022 edition.
Highest Individual Score Against Pakistan In T20 WC History| Player | Runs | Innings | Team | Venue | Year |
| Harry Brook | 100 | 2 | England | Pallekele | 2026 |
| Shakib Al Hasan | 84 | 1 | Bangladesh | Pallekele | 2012 |
| Virat Kohli | 82 | 2 | India | Melbourne | 2022 |
| Shane Watson | 81 | 1 | Australia | Gros Islet | 2010 |
| Martin Guptill | 80 | 2 | New Zealand | Mohali | 2016 |
This match also marked the first time a captain scored a century against Pakistan in a T20I match. The previous highest score by a captain against Pakistan was 84 runs, achieved by Jos Buttler in 2024. Brook is now the fourth player in the 2026 T20 World Cup to reach a century and joins the ranks of Alex Hales, Chris Gayle, and Pathum Nissanka as the only players to score a century in a run chase during the tournament's history. He is also the third English player to achieve this milestone in the World Cup, following Hales and Buttler.