England has etched its name in T20 World Cup 2026 history as the first team to storm into the semifinals. In a nail-biting Super-8 clash at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, the English side clinched a thrilling two-wicket victory over Pakistan, chasing down a challenging 165-run target.
Captain Harry Brook led the charge with a masterful T20I century, his first in the format. Facing 51 balls, Brook smashed 100 runs, peppering the boundary with 10 fours and 4 sixes. His explosive innings propelled England to victory in 19.1 overs despite losing 8 wickets. Will Jacks chipped in with a quickfire 28 off 23 balls, providing crucial support.
Pakistan’s bowlers fought back valiantly. Shaheen Afridi was the standout, claiming 4 wickets for just 30 runs. Mohammad Nawaz and Usman Tariq each grabbed a brace, keeping the match on a knife-edge till the end.
Earlier, Pakistan posted 164 for 9 in their 20 overs. Sahibzada Farhan top-scored with a brilliant 63 off 45 balls, but lacked support from the rest. Babar Azam managed 25, Fakhar Zaman 25 off 16, and Shadab Khan a late 23 off 11. England’s bowlers struck back, with Liam Dawson shining through 4 overs for 24 runs and 3 wickets. Jofra Archer and Jamie Overton claimed two each.
This win follows England’s dominant 51-run triumph over Sri Lanka in their Super-8 opener. With two victories, they’ve secured their semifinal spot. Pakistan’s path now looks treacherous; they face New Zealand on February 27 under Salman Agha. A massive win and favorable results elsewhere are essential for their survival.