Brook’s first T20 century propels England into World Cup semifinals

By Canadian Press on February 24, 2026.

PALLEKELE, Sri Lanka (AP) — Captain Harry Brook’s maiden Twenty20 century propelled England into the T20 World Cup semifinals after a two-wicket win over Pakistan on Tuesday.

Brook’s brutal 100 off 50 balls lifted England to 166-8 in 19.1 overs in a chase of 165.

Pakistan made 164-9 after choosing to bat first on a fresh pitch. Opener Sahibzada Farhan hit 63 off 45 balls but he was the only batter to score more than 25. Pakistan was restricted to a sub-par total after left-arm spinner Liam Dawson picked 3-24 and express pacer Jofra Archer grabbed 2-32.

England is the first team to reach a fifth consecutive semifinals at the T20 World Cup, with a game to spare in the Super Eights. It is two for two in the Super Eights after beating tournament co-host Sri Lanka.

Pakistan has had a washout and a loss and still has to play Sri Lanka in Group 2. Its chances of advancing may depend on others.

England’s chase started shakily. Shaheen Shah Afridi dismissed Phil Salt, Jos Buttler and Jacob Bethell in the power play and eclipsed Haris Rauf as the team’s highest T20 wicket-taker.

When Tom Banton was caught behind off mystery spinner Usman Tariq, England was 58-4.

Brook took on Pakistan, aggressive from the start. He reached 50 runs off 28 balls and the milestone 100 off 50, the first T20 World Cup captain to a century. He’d smacked 10 boundaries and four sixes to have England 10 runs from victory. But on the next ball he missed a yorker in Afridi’s return spell and was bowled.

Afridi, who took 4-30, shook Brook’s hand and the captain walked off to an ovation.

England lost two more wickets to left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz before Archer sealed the game by pulling left-arm fast bowler Salman Mirza for four off the first ball of the final over.

On Wednesday, Sri Lanka plays New Zealand in Colombo.

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AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

The Associated Press