The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 match between England and Pakistan on February 24 turned into a thrilling contest at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. England held their nerve in a pressure chase to defeat Pakistan by 2 wickets and book their place in the semi-finals.
The match was highlighted by a captain’s special knock from Harry Brook and a dramatic finish in the final over.
ENG vs PAK Match Summary
| Match | England vs Pakistan – Super 8 |
|---|---|
| Venue | Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy |
| Date | February 24, 2026 |
| Toss | Pakistan won, chose to bat |
| Pakistan | 164/9 (20 overs) |
| England | 166/8 (19.1 overs) |
| Result | England won by 2 wickets |
| Player of the Match | Harry Brook |
Pakistan Innings: 164/9 in 20 Overs
Pakistan posted a fighting total but could not fully capitalize in the middle overs.
Key Performers – Pakistan
| Batter | Runs | Balls |
|---|---|---|
| Sahibzada Farhan | 63 | 45+ |
| Fakhar Zaman | 25 | — |
| Shadab Khan | 23 | — |
Farhan anchored the innings with a steady knock, while England bowlers kept things tight and stopped Pakistan from crossing the 170 mark.
England Chase: Harry Brook’s Match-Winning Century
England’s chase began poorly as Pakistan struck early to reduce them to 35/3 inside the powerplay.
At that stage, captain Harry Brook took control of the innings with a brilliant counter-attacking performance.
Top Performers – England
| Batter | Runs | Balls |
|---|---|---|
| Harry Brook | 100 | 51 |
| Will Jacks | 28 | — |
| Sam Curran | Quick cameo | — |
Brook smashed 10 fours and 4 sixes, holding the innings together under pressure. His century was one of the best knocks of the tournament and came at a crucial time for England.
Nail-Biting Finish
After Brook’s dismissal near the end, Pakistan made a strong comeback and the match went down to the final moments. However, England stayed calm and crossed the target with five balls remaining, thanks to a composed finish from the lower order.
Bowling Highlights
| Bowler | Figures |
|---|---|
| Shaheen Shah Afridi | 4 wickets |
| England bowlers | Controlled middle overs and restricted scoring |
Afridi’s spell kept Pakistan in the game, but England’s batting depth proved decisive.
What This Result Means
- England became the first team to qualify for the semi-finals from Super 8 Group 2.
- The team strengthened its position at the top of the group table.
- Pakistan now faces a difficult path and must depend on other results to stay in the tournament.
Match Turning Points
- England reduced to 35/3 early in the chase
- Harry Brook’s 51-ball century under pressure
- Shaheen Afridi’s four-wicket spell
- Calm finishing by England’s lower order
This was one of the most exciting matches of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Pakistan fought hard with both bat and ball, but Harry Brook’s outstanding century showed strong leadership and match awareness. England’s ability to handle pressure in the final overs confirms their status as one of the strongest contenders for the title.
