Pallekele, Sri Lanka – In a nail-biting encounter at the T20 World Cup 2026, England captain Harry Brook smashed a maiden T20I century to steer his team to a dramatic two-wicket victory against Pakistan on Tuesday. Chasing a challenging 165, England stumbled early but Brook’s masterful 100 off 51 balls turned the tide, sealing the win with a boundary off the first ball of the final over.
England’s chase got off to a rocky start. Opener Phil Salt fell for a golden duck on the very first ball, bowled by Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi. Captain Jos Buttler, struggling with form, managed just 2 runs before Afridi struck again. Jacob Bethell scored 8, and Tom Banton added 2 as the top order crumbled under pressure.
Enter Harry Brook, batting at number three for the first time in his T20I career. He steadied the ship with a crucial 45-run partnership for the fifth wicket alongside Sam Curran, who made 16. Brook anchored the innings, reaching his ton with 10 fours and 4 sixes in a display of calculated aggression.
Will Jacks chipped in with 28 off 23 balls, but tension mounted in the 19th over when Mohammad Nawaz dismissed Jacks and Jamie Overton in quick succession. With two wickets needed off the last over, Jofra Archer kept his nerve, smashing a four to clinch the match.
Earlier, Pakistan posted 164 for 9 after winning the toss. Sahibzada Farhan top-scored with a brisk 63 off 45 balls, supported by Fakhar Zaman’s 25 and Babar Azam’s 25. Shadab Khan’s late 23 off 11 balls provided a flourish.
England’s bowlers struck back led by Liam Dawson’s 3 for 24. Jofra Archer claimed 2 for 32, and Jamie Overton took 2 wickets. Shaheen Afridi was Pakistan’s standout with 4 for 30.
This win marks England’s second consecutive victory in the Super 8 stage, bolstering their semifinal hopes, while Pakistan’s campaign faces mounting pressure.