England vs Pakistan Match Highlights & Results

That's a wrap - Another game in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, 2026 has flown by and we are fast-heading into the serious business end of the tournament. Next up, the base stays in the Island nation for the sixth match of the Super 8, as co-hosts Sri Lanka go up against New Zealand at the R. Premadasa Stadium. That game will be played on Wednesday, 25th February, with the first ball scheduled to be bowled at 1.30 pm GMT. But please make sure you join us in advance for all the exciting pre-match analysis and buildup. Until then, it's goodbye from us. Take care, stay safe, enjoy cricket. Cheers!

The first semifinalists are here - England, the 2022 champions, have put in a strong showing, even without delivering a complete performance across all departments. But they have stepped up and won the crunch moments more often than not to tilt the game in their favor. They still have a game left in this Super Eight stage, against New Zealand, on Friday, 27th February. They would want to hop into the semis with a positive record. For Pakistan, the walls are closing in on them. This loss has made their chances to make it to the next stage a lot tougher, and a win against Sri Lanka is a must on Saturday, February 28th, to keep their flickering hopes alive. They not only need to win, but would want the favors from other results too.

Got a bit nervy, but good to get over the line - Harry Brook walks up again to have a chat as the skipper. Brook says that they came here to do the job and thankfully, they got over the line. Adds that the decision to promote himself to number 3 was taken this morning. Mentions that the reason behind it was to maximise the Powerplay. Admits that even if Baz (Brendon McCullum) didn't take the call, it was on the back of his mind for a long time now. Tells that their coach (Brendon McCullum) also reminded him that he (Brook) has a great record against them. Shares that they didn't field that well but it happens in cricket and they need to work on it. Brook further adds that wickets in the Powerplay are important in T20s and Archer has been able to do that for them. Says that it got a bit nervy towards the end but good to get over the line. He was hoping it wasn't another Oval against India. Further details that he and the coaching staff will have a chat about the struggles in the top order. He ends by saying the approach is going to be more or less the same, with nothing much changing, but stresses on going out there and building momentum.

Will have to rely on the other results - Salman Agha reflects that Pakistan had made a solid start with the bat but admits that they failed to finish as strongly as they would have liked. Adds that sometimes credit must be given to the opposition, especially for the way Harry Brook batted. He understands that Pakistan now have to rely on other results going in their favour and will also need to beat Sri Lanka in their next game. Looking back at the halfway stage, he feels the total was slightly below par, even though the team fought back well with the ball before Brook’s brilliance took the game away. Speaking about Sahibzada Farhan's knock, Salman notes that he has been consistently performing over the past several months, but admits that the rest of the batting unit hasn’t contributed as expected, while remaining hopeful of improvement going forward. He is pleased with Shaheen Afridi’s return to form, praising his bowling performance, and also highlights the challenge of containing Harry Brook, given his ability to score all around the ground. On England’s approach against Usman Tariq, Salman says they handled him well by rotating the strike effectively, though he still believed Tariq bowled well. Despite the odds towards the end, he mentions that Nawaz’s spell gave them a glimmer of hope, adding that cricket can be unpredictable and even a one percent chance is enough for his team to keep fighting.

... Time to hear it from the captains ...

Brook, the one man army - The sixes and fours may grab the headlines in T20 cricket, and Brook had plenty of those as well. But what truly stood out was his intent and awareness, the hunger of constantly rotating the strike with singles and doubles, even when the boundaries didn't come regularly. England hustled hard between the wickets, turning ones into twos and running plenty of doubles to tick off the target with smart cricket. And en route to his magnificent hundred, Brook also crossed several milestones (as shown on air) - 1. He brought up his maiden T20I century, and doing it on a big occasion made it a truly significant landmark in his career. 2. Brook also became the first captain ever to score a century in a T20 World Cup. 3. Brook now also holds the record of becoming the first ever England captain to score a T20I ton. 4. He is now the third batter from England to score at least one century in all formats of cricket.

Not enough on the board for Pakistan - Promoting himself to No. 3 turned out to be a masterstroke from Brook, who brought up a fine half-century while leading from the front. At the other end, Sam Curran played the perfect foil, adding calm to Brook’s aggression. Their 45-run partnership injected life into the chase. Even after Curran’s dismissal, Brook carried on undeterred, keeping England’s hopes truly alive with his attacking approach as he got off to a majestic century. However, England lost a few quick wickets towards the backend, but with runs required in single digits, it was just a matter of one big hit in the end. And honestly, Pakistan just didn't have enough on the board.

A roaring comeback with the ball - Benched for the last couple of matches due to some really ordinary bowling, Shaheen Afridi was trusted again, and he delivered gold this time. He denied the English top order any sort of momentum and dismissed all Buttler, Salt, and Bethell, reducing England to 35/3. Brook, though, came in with his customary attacking approach, and his intent kept England in touching distance with the asking rate. But they slid down 58/4, as Tariq made an immediate impact, removing Banton as well. At halfway, England were crawling and needed a stable partnership to get back on track.

A mixed-bag to start with - Pakistan were jolted early with the loss of Saim Ayub, but Sahibzada Farhan and Babar Azam steadied the ship with a composed rebuilding act. Babar played the perfect supporting role before departing, while Farhan carried the responsibility forward, crafting a classy half-century to anchor the innings through the middle phase. The momentum swung back in Pakistan’s favour when Fakhar Zaman injected pace with a lively cameo, and Shadab Khan added the finishing touches with a busy knock, regularly finding the boundary to push the total beyond 160, which was still a modest one.  For England, Liam Dawson stood out with the ball, picking up three crucial wickets to keep Pakistan from running away with the game, eventually ending with a frugal spell of 3/24. Whereas Archer and Overton picked up two apiece to provide a solid start with the ball. England, by their own high standards, were quite sloppy in the field, and gave away a few easy runs, something they would want to tighten up going forward in the next stage of the tournament.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH - Harry Brook receives the award for his magnificent captain's knock of 100 from 51 balls. Brook says that he is very happy the way they played and got through to the semis. Adds that they will focus on the New Zealand game but the bigger prize is behind that. Mentions that it was all Baz (Coach Brendon McCullum), sending him at number 3. He had a chat with him in the morning and they planned to change things up if needed and he is glad it worked out. Says that it is nice to face as many balls as possible. Brook calls Pakistan a good team, having some world-class players and it is good to get over the line. Shares that there are still areas to improve and you can never be perfect. On his hundred, he says that he is just happy to get the job done. Ends by saying that they were in a tricky situation but a couple of good partnerships helped them win this game.

Brook's men march ahead - Well, it got a bit tense towards the end, but it was England's game to lose with just a handful of runs needed. Smiles all around the English camp as England become the first team to qualify for the semifinals of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, 2026. But they, too, would agree that they have been far from being clinical, especially with the bat in this tournament. Disappointment for Pakistan. Their previous Super Eight game was rained off without a ball being bowled and they had to settle for one point. And a loss here in Pallekele has made it very tricky for them to make it to the next stage.

Salman Mirza to Jofra Archer, Four!FOUR! Jofra Archer hits the winning runs! ENGLAND WIN BY 2 WICKETS AND MAKE IT TO THE SEMI FINAL. Salman Mirza bangs this into the pitch, pace on. Archer gets on top of the bounce and pulls it away, to the left of deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

Last over coming up. England need 3 to win. And Pakistan are penalised for a slow over rate as well. Salman Mirza to bowl the final over.

Mohammad Nawaz to Jofra Archer, 1 run.Slows it up, full and on middle, Jofra Archer knocks it down the pitch to the right of the bowler. Nawaz moves to his right, but Dawson comes in his way and he ends up diving over the ball, allowing a run. 3 needed in the last over.

Jofra Archer is the new batter in for England.

Mohammad Nawaz to Jamie Overton, OUT! st Usman Khan b Mohammad Nawaz.OUT! STUMPED! Is there a twist still left in the tale? Mohammad Nawaz gives this one some more air, full and on off, lures the batter. Jamie Overton skips down the track to go for the glory shot but gets beaten on the flight, and Usman Khan behind the stumps does the rest. England are 161/8, still needing 4 runs in 7 balls.

Mohammad Nawaz to Jamie Overton, No run.Oh..two dots! Flighted, full and on middle, Jamie Overton tucks it towards mid-wicket. Liam Dawson wants the run but he is sent back just in time.

Mohammad Nawaz to Jamie Overton, No run.Tossed up, full and on middle, Jamie Overton pushes it back to the bowler.

Mohammad Nawaz to Liam Dawson, 1 run.Short and around off, Liam Dawson punches it to sweeper cover for a single. England one hit away from the win now.

Liam Dawson walks in at number 9.

Mohammad Nawaz to Will Jacks, OUT! b Mohammad Nawaz.OUT! TIMBER! Mohammad Nawaz gets a wicket but it is too little too late for Pakistan. He bowls this slower through the air, shortish and on middle, angling in. Will Jacks moves to the leg side to make room and go over covers, but plays all over it. The ball goes through and hits the top of the leg stump. England are 160/7, needing 5 more from 11 balls.

Mohammad Nawaz (2-0-24-1) to bowl the penultimate over.

Salman Mirza to Will Jacks, 1 run.Bangs this into the pitch, outside off, Will Jacks slashes hard at it. Gets an outside edge that goes on the bounce to third man. They cross. 5 needed in 12 balls now.

Salman Mirza to Will Jacks, No run.Another dot! Full again and on off, Will Jacks pushes it straight to short cover.

Salman Mirza to Will Jacks, No run.Three dots in a row now! Goes fuller and on leg, angling in and keeps a bit low. Will Jacks makes room to drive it but fails to connect.

Salman Mirza to Will Jacks, No run.Short of a length and around of, Will Jacks tries to pull but gets a bottom edge to the left of the keeper.

Salman Mirza to Will Jacks, No run.A good wide yorker this time, outside off, Will Jacks jams it out towards backward point.

Salman Mirza to Will Jacks, Wide!WIDE! Good length but way outside off, Will Jacks leaves it alone. Another wide. England just one big hit away from the win now.

Salman Mirza to Will Jacks, 2 runs.Pitched up and on middle, Will Jacks flicks it towards deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Salman Mirza to Will Jacks, Wide!WIDE! Slower bouncer, outside off, Will Jacks leaves it alone. Wided.

End of a majestic knock from the English skipper. They need 10 from 18 balls as Jamie Overton arrives at the crease at number 8.

Shaheen Afridi to Harry Brook, OUT! b Shaheen Afridi.OUT! CASTLED! Hundred and out for Harry Brook. Shaheen Afridi nails the yorker this time, on middle. Harry Brook backs away and tries to open the face of his bat to guide it away but fails to get it down in time. The ball goes through and hits the base of the middle stump. Brook is frustrated as he cannot stay till the end. Gets a pat on the back from Shaheen and a big applause from the crowd as well. Fourth wicket for Shaheen and England are 155/6.

Shaheen Afridi to Harry Brook, Four!FOUR! HUNDRED FOR BROOK! This has been a special knock from the English skipper. When others struggled, he stood tall and has all but sealed a semi-final spot for his country. Fuller delivery, on off, Harry Brook shows the full face of the bat and lofts it over mid off for a boundary. He roars in delight as this is his maiden T20I century, which has come in just 50 balls.

Shaheen Afridi to Harry Brook, Six!SIX! Harry Brook is in a hurry now! Shaheen Afridi bangs this into the pitch, outside off, pace on as well. Brook comes down the track, stays leg side of the ball and slaps it over the deep extra cover fence for half a dozen more.

Shaheen Afridi to Will Jacks, 1 run.On a length and on middle, Will Jacks pats it down to long on for a single.

Shaheen Afridi to Will Jacks, Four!FOUR! Gets it away! Back of a length and on middle, takes pace off. Will Jacks looks to swipe it away, but goes through the shot a bit too early. Gets an inside edge that races to the deep backward square leg fence for a boundary. 21 needed in 22 balls now.

Shaheen Afridi to Will Jacks, 2 runs.Fuller and on off, Will Jacks drives it away towards sweeper cover for yet another double.

So England manage 14 runs from Tariq's last over. They need only 27 runs from the last 4 overs now. Shaheen has one left. Mirza has a couple remaining. And Pakistan are running out of options and plans now. Okay then, Shaheen Afridi (3-0-13-3) to bowl out.

Usman Tariq to Harry Brook, Four!FOUR! Harry Brook moves into the 90s now. Flatter delivery, short and around off. Brook throws his hands at it and gets an outside edge that races to the third man fence for a boundary. An expensive end to Tariq's final over, but still a good spell from him with figures of 4-0-31-2.

Usman Tariq to Will Jacks, 1 run.Short again and outside off, Will Jacks cuts it away to deep point for one.

Usman Tariq to Will Jacks, Six!SIX! Goes all the way! Usman Tariq tries to bowl the googly but drags it way back, around leg. Will Jacks opens up his stance and heaves it away, hitting it flat and over the deep square leg fence for a biggie.

Usman Tariq to Will Jacks, No run.Drops it a bit short and on middle, turns in, Will Jacks pats it back to the bowler.

Usman Tariq to Harry Brook, 1 run.Tossed up, full and on off, Harry Brook eases it to long off for a single.

Usman Tariq to Harry Brook, 2 runs.Overthrows! Floated, short and down the leg side, Harry Brook paddles it away towards short fine for a single. Shaheen Afridi throws it at the bowler's end, where Usman Tariq fails to collect it and lets it through, which allows an extra run.

Right. Last 5 overs coming up. England need 41 runs from 30 balls. Pakistan's last roll of the dice pretty likely. Usman Tariq to bowl out. 3-0-17-2 are his bowling figures so far.

Mohammad Nawaz to Harry Brook, 1 run.Not that short, just around off. Brook hangs back and punches it wide of long off for an easy single again.

Mohammad Nawaz to Will Jacks, 1 run.Short and outside off, Jacks knocks it to the left of cover for a tight single.

Mohammad Nawaz to Will Jacks, 2 runs.Fuller and slower through the air, allowing the ball to grip from middle and leg. Will Jacks leans on and nudges it gently to deep square leg and they scamper back for the second run.

Mohammad Nawaz to Harry Brook, 1 run.Low full toss, on the pads, Brook clips it to deep mid-wicket for a single. And according to Michael Atherton on air, this is Brook's highest T20I score.

Mohammad Nawaz to Harry Brook, No run.Sees Brook advance down the pitch, Nawaz drags his length back and keeps it on middle. Brook adjusts well and eases it to cover.

Mohammad Nawaz to Harry Brook, 2 runs.Good running again! Full and drifting on the leg stump line, Brook flicks it along the ground in the long on and deep mid-wicket gap and they hustle back for the second run.

DRINKS! England are ahead in this chase, with skipper Harry Brook leading from the front. They need 48 runs in 36 balls now. It has looked like he is batting on an entirely different surface, while the others have struggled to get going. However, with 5 wickets lost, Pakistan know that if they can manage to get a wicket or two quickly, they can put pressure back on England here. The problem for them have been that, except for Usman Tariq, the other spinners have not been able to make any sort of impact. Here is Mohammad Nawaz to bowl after the break.

Usman Tariq to Harry Brook, 1 run.Goes deep in the crease again and cuts this length ball to deep backward point for a single.

Usman Tariq to Harry Brook, 2 runs.Fantastic running between the wickets! A touch shorter than the previous ball, outside off, Harry Brook goes back in the crease and crunches it to deep cover for a couple of runs.

Usman Tariq to Will Jacks, 1 run.Very slow, at 78.5 kph, on a good length, outside off, Jacks punches it through widish mid off for a single.

Usman Tariq to Harry Brook, 1 run.Quicker one, skids through from a length, on middle, Harry Brook is rushed on the back foot and heaves it off the inside edge to square leg for a single. Usman Khan appeals for LBW, but the umpire walks away.

Usman Tariq to Harry Brook, 2 runs.Floated, shortish and on off, turns in. Harry Brook clips it towards the vacant square leg region and turns around for the second run quite comfortably, making it as well.

Usman Tariq to Harry Brook, No run.Flatter, full and around off, Harry Brook waits for it and steers it to short third.

Salman Mirza to Will Jacks, No run.Bangs this into the pitch, on middle, Will Jacks backs away and looks to swat it but gets a bottom edge onto his pads as the ball goes nowhere. Just the one six from the over.

Salman Mirza to Will Jacks, No run.Back of a length around off, and Jacks once again can only nudge it tamely back down the pitch off the inside half of the bat.

Salman Mirza to Will Jacks, No run.Nagging length, on off, Jacks chops it to the off side.

Salman Mirza to Will Jacks, Six!SIX! That's a glorious hit! Mirza hurls it on a good length, but offers a lot of width outside off. Will Jacks stays leg side, hits it through the line and clubs it over deep cover for a huge six. England need 55 more from 45 balls.

Salman Mirza to Will Jacks, No run.On a back of a length, around off, Will punches it to cover.

Salman Mirza to Will Jacks, No run.From around the wicket. Length ball at 134.9 kph, on off, Will Jacks stabs it to backward point off the back foot.

Salman Agha brings pace back on. Salman Mirza replaces Shadab Khan.

Usman Tariq to Will Jacks, 1 run.Loopy full toss, on off, at 79.8 kph, Will Jacks leans on the front foot and eases it to long off for a single.

The next batter is....Will Jacks.

Usman Tariq to Sam Curran, OUT! c Mohammad Nawaz b Usman Tariq.OUT! FLATLY HIT AND TAKEN! Curran couldn't have picked a fielder any better in the outfield. Tariq's magic continues with the ball as he picks up his second and his 10th wicket in this T20 World Cup. On a lower trajectory, short and on middle and leg. Sam Curran gets crouched a bit and goes for a pull shot, but cannot find the correct timing on that one. Hits it flatly towards deep mid-wicket, where Mohammad Nawaz gets a simple catching practice. Usman breaks the 45-run partnership as England are 103/5, chasing 165.

Usman Tariq to Harry Brook, 1 run.There comes the dramatic pause again from Tariq. A touch short, drifting on the leg stump. Brook hangs deep in the crease and whips it behind square on the leg side for a single.

Usman Tariq to Sam Curran, 1 run.The high-arm delivery, short and outside off, Curran rocks back and cuts it to deep point for a single.

Usman Tariq to Sam Curran, No run.Slower through the air, on a fullish length, Sam chips it on the bounce to Tariq.

Usman Tariq to Sam Curran, 2 runs.Slides one onto the pads, on a length, this is nudged between deep mid-wicket and deep square leg for a couple more. 100 UP FOR ENGLAND!

Usman Tariq (1-0-5-1) is back on.

Shadab Khan to Harry Brook, Four!FOUR! Brook on a rampage as he moves to 72 from just 35 balls. Shadab goes short, on middle and leg. Harry Brook reads the length early and pulls it off the back foot over wide long on for a boundary. 17 runs from this over.

Shadab Khan to Harry Brook, Six!SIX! MONSTROUS! Shadab serves it full and on middle, Harry Brook comes dancing down the track, gets under the ball cleanly and golfs it gun-barrel straight down the ground for a cracking six. Brave intent-laden batting this from the English skipper.

Shadab Khan to Sam Curran, 1 run.On a length outside off, worked into the vacant mid-wicket region for a single, making Shadab put in a bit of extra running.

Shadab Khan to Harry Brook, 1 run.Too full, on the stumps, flicked off the front foot to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Shadab Khan to Harry Brook, Four!FOUR! Such a good shot that is! Drops it full, does Khan, but down leg. Brook plants his knee on the pitch and nails the sweep shot to deep backward square leg for a boundary.

Shadab Khan to Sam Curran, 1 run.Flatter and quicker, around off, Sam dabs it off the outer half to widish short third for a single.

Halfway reached. England are 82/4 and need 83 runs more to win. Pakistan, at the same stage, were 70/2. Brook has displayed good batsmanship, leading from the front in this chase as this partnership between him and Curran is budding steadily. Shadab Khan to continue from this end. So not quite sure why has Tariq been removed from the attack despite picking a wicket in his first over.

Saim Ayub to Sam Curran, 1 run.Slows it up, full and on middle, Sam Curran works it towards long on for one more. He wants the second, but Brook slips at the other end and sends him back.

Saim Ayub to Harry Brook, 1 run.Tossed up, full and on off, Harry Brook drives it away towards sweeper cover for one. Babar Azam cannot pick it up cleanly but it does not cost anything.

Saim Ayub to Harry Brook, Four!FOUR! Poor delivery and gets the treatment! Dragged back and down the leg side, begging to be put away. Harry Brook just helps it on its way past short fine for a boundary.

Saim Ayub to Harry Brook, 2 runs.In the air... SAFE! Floated, short again and on middle, turns away a bit as it is the carrom ball. Harry Brook moves back to heave it away but gets a top edge. It flies in the air but drops well wide of the deep square leg fielder. Two taken.

Saim Ayub to Sam Curran, 1 run.Short and on middle, Sam Curran tucks it towards mid-wicket for a run. Saim Ayub is quick to get to the ball to deny the second.

Saim Ayub to Harry Brook, 1 run.FIFTY FOR BROOK! A move to number 3 has paid dividends for the English skipper, and he has led from the front with his superb knock. This is his 7th T20I half century. Floated, full and around leg, Harry Brook paddles it to short fine for a single. Not much of a celebration as he knows, the job is far from done here.

Shockingly, just one over for Tariq. Probably to change his end? Saim Ayub comes back into the attack. 1-0-11-0 so far.

Shadab Khan to Sam Curran, Four!MISFIELD AND FOUR! That is very poor fielding. Shadab Khan drags his length back again, on middle. Sam Curran hangs back and swats it down the ground. There are shouts of 'Catch it,' but it falls short of long on. Shaheen Afridi fails to read the bounce of the ball and lets it over his head for a boundary.

Shadab Khan to Sam Curran, No run.Shortish delivery, on leg, stops in the pitch and turns in, Sam Curran moves back and flicks it to short fine.

Shadab Khan to Harry Brook, 1 run.Gives this one some more air, full and on off, turns away a bit. Harry Brook uses his feet and pushes it to sweeper cover for one.

Shadab Khan to Harry Brook, Wide!WIDE! Flatter, full but way outside off, Harry Brook leaves it alone. Called a wide.

Shadab Khan to Sam Curran, 1 run.Goes shorter and on middle, Sam Curran stays back and clips it to short fine for another run.

Shadab Khan to Harry Brook, 1 run.Flighted, full and on off, Harry Brook drills it to long off for a run.

Shadab Khan to Sam Curran, 1 run.Tossed up, full and on middle, Sam Curran whips it aerially but safely wide of long on for a single. There is a fumble in the deep by Shaheen Afridi but England cannot take advantage of it.

Usman Tariq to Sam Curran, 1 run.Bowls this with a round-arm action, short and on middle, Sam Curran nudges it to short fine for one more. Just 5 runs and a wicket from Tariq's first over!

Usman Tariq to Harry Brook, 1 run.Loops it up, full and on leg, Harry Brook works it through square leg for one.

Usman Tariq to Sam Curran, 1 run.Flatter delivery at 80.3 kph, full and on leg, Sam Curran clips it through square leg for another run.

Usman Tariq to Harry Brook, 1 run.Short again and on off, turns into the right-hander, Harry Brook slaps it to sweeper cover for a run.

Usman Tariq to Sam Curran, 1 run.Floats it up, short and around off, turns in, Sam Curran punches it through covers for a single.

The slide continues for England. But they do bat deep and will need someone to partner Brook to take the game deep. Sam Curran arrives at the crease at number 6.