T20 World Cup 2026: Harry Brook delivers one of the finest knocks in T20 World Cup history with a match-winning century against Pakistan.
England’s young captain Harry Brook delivered a match-winning 100 off 51 to guide his side to a thrilling two-wicket victory over Pakistan in the Super Eights of the T20 World Cup 2026 at Pallekele, chasing down 165 with five balls to spare. This knock not only sealed England’s semi-final spot but stands as one of the greatest centuries while chasing in T20 World Cup history.
England entered the chase reeling at 35-3 early on, with Pakistan spinners striking thrice in the powerplay to expose familiar frailties in high-pressure pursuits. The team had shown inconsistency throughout the tournament, qualifying for Super Eights after a gritty win over Italy but failing to ignite their trademark aggressive brand of cricket.
Despite boasting firepower, England often reverted to cautious play, hovering near-second in their group and prompting questions about their white-ball revival post their title defence hangover.
Tournament context & Harry Brook’s rise
Brook, promoted from number 5 to 3 after decent but unspectacular prior outings, walked in amid collapse and transformed the game, much like Suryakumar Yadav’s iconic rescue for India in the opener of the tournament against USA.
England restricted Pakistan to 164-9, thanks to Liam Dawson’s 3-24. But the target felt steep on a gripping surface where Pakistan’s bowlers, led by Shaheen Afridi and spinners like Mohammad Nawaz, thrived. Brook’s counter-attack, 41 off 20 in the powerplay alone, shifted momentum, plundering 17 off Nawaz to neutralise left-arm spin that had dismissed him thrice before.
Needing 83 off 10 overs at the halfway mark, Brook accelerated, smashing 10 fours and four sixes with pristine timing against Pakistan’s varied attack on a challenging track. He raced to fifty off 28 balls, then targeted Shadab Khan for crucial boundaries, forming a 45-run stand with Sam Curran before the latter fell.
Dropping anchor when needed yet exploding at will, Brook’s technical mastery shone: clipping spinners fine, launching seamers downtown, and rotating strike flawlessly to finish unbeaten, becoming the first captain to score a T20 WC ton.
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Without a shadow of a doubt, this is one of the great hundreds in T20 World Cup history. This will be a milestone in Harry Brook's career.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 24, 2026
Why is Harry Brook’s knock a T20 World Cup gem?
T20 World Cups rarely witness centuries, especially by a skipper. On foreign soil where English batters historically falter against spin in turning conditions, this was defiance personified, with a strike rate touching nearly 200 (196.07). It echoed rare chases like AB de Villiers’ but in a World Cup Super Eight high-pressure stage, vindicating Brook’s promotion and spotlighting his adaptability.
This innings jolts England from slumber; they’re too talented, packed with Jacks, Bethell, and Dawson, to play “old-school” cricket. Finishing strong now reminds them of 2022 glory, banishing doubts and positioning Brook as the catalyst to unleash Bazball 2.0 in semis. Pakistan, who now must-win against Sri Lanka and depend on other teams for their fate, felt the sting of Brook’s dominance in conditions they own.
Harry Brook: Future white-ball icon
Already a red-ball star, Brook’s white-ball credentials soared, he’s now England’s third batter to record a T20 World Cup century, following Alex Hales and Jos Buttler. At 27, this cements him among the world’s top white-ball prospects, blending power, technique and leadership poise. Overcoming subcontinental spin as captain signals his legacy: a dominator who delivers abroad, eyeing future captaincy beyond T20s.
H Brook at 3 now makes me start to think it’s possible .. #ICCT20WorldCup .. That’s the innings that proves we have a genius in the ranks of the England team ..
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 24, 2026
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