Harry Brook’s Sublime Century Sends England men's cricket team into T20 World Cup Semi-Finals

Harry Brook produced a captain’s masterpiece under pressure, smashing a scintillating maiden T20I hundred to steer England to a nervy two-wicket win over Pakistan and seal a semi-final spot in the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup.

Chasing 165 in Pallekele, England were rocked immediately when Shaheen Shah Afridi struck with the first ball of the innings. Promoting himself to No. 3, Brook counterattacked from the outset, dominating the powerplay even as wickets fell around him. Afridi removed three batters early, and Pakistan tightened their grip when England slipped to 103 for 5.

But Brook stood firm, unfurling a dazzling array of strokes all around the ground. He brought up his hundred off just 50 balls with back-to-back boundaries off Afridi, becoming the first England men’s captain to score a T20I century. Fittingly, Afridi ended his innings with a pinpoint yorker, but Brook departed to a standing ovation with only 10 runs required.

England nearly stumbled at the finish, losing three wickets for six runs in 12 balls before scraping home in the final over.

Earlier, Pakistan’s 164 for 9 was built largely around Sahibzada Farhan’s 63, while Liam Dawson claimed 3 for 24 to stall their momentum through the middle overs.

The win ensured England’s progression to the semi-finals with a match to spare. Though far from flawless in the field and fragile at times with the bat, they now advance to the knockout stage hoping Brook’s brilliance can spark a more complete performance when it matters most.

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