England secured a thrilling two-wicket win over Pakistan to become the first team to reach the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 semi-finals. Harry Brook’s unbeaten century guided the Two Lions to victory at Pallekele in Kandy.
By News Desk
KANDY: England booked their spot in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 semi-finals after a dramatic two-wicket victory over Pakistan in a Super Eight match at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. The win, England’s second consecutive in the Super Eights, made them the first team to secure a semi-final berth in the 20-team tournament and reinforced their lead at the top of Group 2.
Chasing 165, England made a shaky start as Shaheen Shah Afridi struck three early blows, dismissing Phil Salt for nought, Jos Buttler for two, and Jacob Bethell for eight within five overs, leaving England at 35 for 3. Harry Brook, however, anchored the innings, putting on 23 runs with Tom Banton and a further 45 with Sam Curran.
England’s captain finally received strong support from Will Jacks, who joined at No. 7. The pair added 52 runs for the sixth wicket, steadily pushing England toward the target. Jacks was dismissed off the final ball of the 17th over, but Brook remained unbeaten, top-scoring with a 51-ball century featuring 10 fours and four sixes. His stellar performance earned him the Player of the Match award and sealed England’s dramatic win with four balls to spare.
Focus Keyword: England Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026
#England #Pakistan #T20WorldCup2026 #HarryBrook #SuperEights #Cricket #Pallekele #CricketNews #EnglandCricket #PakistanCricket #CricketFans #WorldCupCricket #PlayerOfTheMatch
