The England cricket team scripted history at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 by reaching the semifinals for a fifth consecutive edition, becoming the first team to do so.
Their dramatic two-wicket win over the Pakistan national cricket team in the Super Eight stage sealed qualification and underlined England’s dominance in the shortest format over the past decade.
Leading from the front, captain Harry Brook delivered one of the most memorable knocks in tournament history. Walking in at number three after Phil Salt’s first-ball dismissal, Brook counter-attacked fearlessly, scoring 100 off just 51 balls.
His innings included 10 boundaries and four sixes, anchoring a tense chase of 165 at Pallekele. The century not only guided England home but also broke new ground in T20 World Cup records.
Brook became the first captain ever to score a hundred in a T20 World Cup. Before this, 13 centuries had been recorded in the tournament’s history, yet none came from a skipper. The previous highest score by a captain was Chris Gayle’s 98 in 2010.
Brook’s ton now stands among the fastest in the competition, reaching the landmark in 50 balls, joint-second quickest overall and only behind Gayle’s iconic 47-ball effort.
With this knock, Brook joined an elite English club alongside Jos Buttler and Dawid Malan as all-format centurions. His performance also marked only the fourth century in a successful T20 World Cup chase, highlighting its match-winning significance.
England’s consistency since 2016 has set them apart. While Pakistan and Sri Lanka previously managed four consecutive semifinal appearances, England have now moved ahead with five in a row, including their 2022 title triumph.
For Pakistan, Babar Azam struggled for fluency, adding to concerns around strike rates in high-pressure games. However, the night firmly belonged to Brook, whose fearless approach symbolized England’s modern T20 identity.
