England Becomes First Team To Qualify For Semifinal Thanks To Skipper Harry Brook’s Century

 

 

Pallekele : A magnificent counter-attacking century by skipper Harry Brook and brilliant bowling by English spinners helped the Three Lions seal a semifinal berth in the ICC T20 World Cup with a nail-biting two-wicket win at Pallekele on Tuesday. Captained by Harry Brook, England are the first team to confirm their place in the knockout stages of the competition after winning two matches in the Super 8 so far.

 

Skipper Brook shone with the bat and led the team to a victory single-handedly. He produced one of the greates knocks in the touranment scoring 100 runs from just 51 deliveries on a pitch which was a slow surface and gripping. His knock helped the team chase 165 in the last over of the thrilling contest. Will Jacks contributed with 28 runs from 23 deliveries to lend a supporting hand. Notably, only one batter scired in triple digit, two in double digits and seven scored in single digits. Shaheen Afridi bowled an impressive spell taking four wickets but his efforts went in vain as the team lost the fixture.

 

Batting first, Pakistan posted 164-9 riding on Sahibzada Farhan's 63. The trio of Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman and Shadab Khan scored in double digits. For England, Liam Dawson picked three wickets while Jofra Archer and Jamie Overton scalped two wickets each. The contest also saw multiple records being scripted during the proceedings.

 

The victory meant that England made it to the semifinal oF the T20 World Cup for fifth edition in a row. The streak commenced in 2016 when they lost the final of the tournament against West Indies. They were eliminated from the semis in the 2021 and 2024 but were crowned as champions in 2022. Pakistan previously owned record making it the four semifinals in the first four editions. Sri Lanka had also equalled the feat later.

Overall, England have now made it to the semis of the tournament for the sixth time equalling Pakistan's world record. However, Pakistan can regain the lead if they make it to the last four of the tournament. Also, India might equal England's record if they advance into the semifinal stage.

 

England captain Harry Brook scripted an impressive record becoming the first skipper to score a century in the men's T20 World Cup. previously, 98 was the highest score by a captain in the tournamnet history and the record was owned by Chris Gayle of West Indies who played a thunderous knock against India in 2010.

100 - Harry Brook (ENG) vs PAK, Pallekele, 2026

98 - Chris Gayle (WI) vs IND, Bridgetown, 2010

94* - Lorcan Tucker (IRE) vs OMAN, Colombo SSC, 2026

92 - Rohit Sharma (IND) vs AUS, Bridgetown, 2024

88 - Chris Gayle (WI) vs AUS, The Oval, 2009