- England defeated Pakistan by 2 wickets in Pallekele.
- Harry Brook scored a match-winning century off 51 balls.
- Pakistan must beat Sri Lanka to remain in contention.
England secured a thrilling two-wicket victory over Pakistan in their high-stakes Super Eight encounter of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at Pallekele. Chasing a target of 165, England reached 166/8 in 19.1 overs, successfully overcoming a spirited challenge from the Pakistani bowling attack. The result has significantly boosted England’s semi-final prospects while leaving Pakistan’s tournament aspirations hanging by a thread.
Pakistan’s Competitive Total
According to match reports from Pallekele, Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first, posting a total of 164/9 in their allotted 20 overs. Openers Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan provided a spark with early boundaries, but the English bowlers maintained consistent pressure by taking wickets at regular intervals. Despite some middle-order resistance, Pakistan struggled to accelerate in the final overs, finishing with a score that appeared competitive but perhaps slightly under par for the surface.
England’s Powerplay Struggle
England’s chase began under heavy pressure as Shaheen Afridi and Usman Tariq dismantled the top order early on. Both English openers fell quickly, leaving the side reeling at 56/3 by the end of the powerplay. The Pakistani pace attack, led by Shaheen, exploited the conditions well, giving the Green Shirts a glimmer of hope for a defensive masterclass. However, the introduction of the English captain changed the entire complexion of the game.
Harry Brook’s Captain’s Knock
The defining moment of the match was a sensational century by Harry Brook, who single-handedly turned the tide in England’s favor. Brook played a magnificent innings of 100 runs off just 51 balls, showcasing a range of innovative and powerful strokes. His ability to find the boundaries under pressure prevented Pakistan from drying up the runs, effectively neutralizing the threat posed by the spinners during the middle overs.
Late Drama at Pallekele
The match reached a fever pitch in the closing stages when Harry Brook was dismissed with the score at 160/7. This sudden breakthrough sparked a late collapse, as England lost another quick wicket to create a tense atmosphere in the final two overs. Pakistan sensed an opportunity to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, but the English tail-enders displayed remarkable composure, guiding their team across the finish line with five balls to spare.
Qualification Scenarios and Future
This defeat leaves Pakistan in a precarious position in Group 2, having already seen their opener against New Zealand abandoned due to rain. With only one point from two matches, Pakistan must now defeat Sri Lanka on February 28 to have any chance of progressing. Even a win might not be enough, as they will need other results to go their way and must significantly improve their Net Run Rate to stay in the hunt for a semi-final berth.
England Moves Toward Semi-Finals
For England, this victory almost guarantees a spot in the semi-finals, reinforcing their status as one of the tournament favorites. Their resilience in a low-scoring thriller demonstrated the depth of their squad and the leadership quality of Harry Brook. While Pakistan showed flashes of brilliance, their inconsistency with the bat and the inability to close out the game during the final overs proved to be their undoing in this classic T20 encounter.