Harry Brook scripts history as England crush Pakistan to storm into T20 World Cup semis

In a night that will echo deep into England’s T20 folklore, Harry Brook delivered a captain’s innings for the ages — a blazing 100 off 51 balls — to propel England into the T20 World Cup semifinals with a nerve-shredding two-wicket win over Pakistan in Pallekele on February 24.

With that knock, Brook became the first captain in T20 World Cup history to score a century, stamping his authority not just on the match but on the tournament itself. Chasing 165 in a high-stakes Super 8 clash at the Pallekele International Stadium, England got home with five balls to spare, confirming their place in the final four and leaving Pakistan staring at elimination.

For Pakistan, the equation is now brutally simple — beat Sri Lanka in their final Super 8 fixture and hope other results fall their way. Even that may not suffice.

Farhan fights, but Pakistan fall short

Opting to bat first, Pakistan posted 164 for nine — competitive, but hardly imposing on a surface that rewarded calculated aggression.

Saim Ayub’s lean patch continued when Jofra Archer hurried him with a sharp short ball. Captain Salman Agha’s attacking intent backfired early, and wickets tumbled in the powerplay. Amid the turbulence, Sahibzada Farhan stood tall.

Fresh from a maiden T20I hundred against Namibia, Farhan once again anchored the innings with composure and clarity. His 63 — laced with seven fours and two sixes — held Pakistan together as others struggled to accelerate.

Babar Azam began brightly but slowed conspicuously, managing 25 at a strike rate barely above a run-a-ball before Jamie Overton ended his stay. Fakhar Zaman’s brisk 25 offered late promise before Adil Rashid cut him short. A late burst from Shadab Khan (23 off 11) lifted Pakistan past 160 — a total that felt par, not commanding.

Liam Dawson led England’s bowling effort with a tidy 3 for 24, while Archer and Overton struck twice apiece.

Shaheen’s firestorm jolts England

Pakistan’s defense began with fury. Shaheen Shah Afridi, recalled to the XI, struck with the first ball of his spell, removing Phil Salt with a delivery that seamed away. Moments later, Jos Buttler followed. England were rattled.

Jacob Bethell survived a drop but could not capitalize, as Shaheen continued to extract movement and menace. At that stage, Pakistan sensed an opening.

But Brook had already begun shaping something special.

The Brook masterclass

Calm where others faltered, Brook looked the only English batter fully in sync with the surface. His footwork was decisive, his strokeplay authoritative. He reached fifty in just 28 balls, keeping England afloat even as wickets fell around him.

With 83 still required at the halfway mark, the contest hung in the balance. Then came the surge. Brook targeted Shadab Khan in a momentum-shifting over that yielded 17 runs, tilting the contest England’s way. Even when Sam Curran departed after a promising stand, Brook remained unfazed.

He brought up his century in 50 balls — ten fours, four sixes, and a statement of leadership under pressure. Though Shaheen eventually dismissed him, the damage was done.

Will Jacks’ valuable 28 ensured England stayed on course. A brief wobble near the finish line threatened late drama, but Jofra Archer struck the winning boundary to seal it.

Shaheen’s figures — 4 for 30 — deserved more. Pakistan’s effort deserved more. But Brook’s brilliance allowed England to have the final word.

England march on, Pakistan on the brink

The win extends England’s unbeaten T20 World Cup record against Pakistan to 4-0 and maintains their perfect run in Sri Lanka this year. More significantly, it confirms them as the first team into the semifinals — confident, clinical, and led by a captain who just etched his name into tournament history.

For Pakistan, the path ahead is steep and uncertain.

For England, the belief is unmistakable — when the moment demanded a hero, their captain became one.