Harry Brook stood tall on the big stage when his team needed him most, notching up his maiden T20I century against Pakistan in a crucial Super 8 encounter. The England skipper chose to promote himself to number three for the high-stakes clash, a move many had been advocating since the start of the T20 World Cup, and the gamble paid rich dividends. Brook produced a commanding 50-ball hundred to guide England in their pursuit of a 165-run target.
Pakistan's Shaheen Shah Afridi shakes hands with England's captain Harry Brook after dismissing him for 100 off 51 balls. (AP)
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Leading from the front, he held the innings together even as wickets fell around him and partnerships failed to flourish. While others struggled to find momentum, Brook maintained composure and kept the scoreboard moving, effectively putting the result beyond doubt before his dismissal. He reached the landmark in emphatic fashion, striking Shaheen Shah Afridi for a towering six, followed by a boundary.
However, the very next delivery saw Afridi respond, clean bowling him for 100 off 51 balls. In a fitting gesture, the Pakistan pacer walked up to Brook and shook his hand, acknowledging a superb and match-defining knock.
He also scripted history with his knock, becoming the first captain to score a century in the T20 World Cup.
Highest individual scores by a captain in T20 WCs
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100 - Harry Brook vs PAK, Pallekele, 2026*
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100 - Harry Brook vs PAK, Pallekele, 2026*
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98 - Chris Gayle vs IND, Bridgetown, 2010
94* - Lorcan Tucker vs OMAN, Colombo SSC, 2026
92 - Rohit Sharma vs AUS, Bridgetown, 2024
It was also the joint-second fastest fifty in the T20 World Cup history, with Chris Gayle still holding the record with 47 balls.
England chased down the 165-run target with five balls to spare, sealing their second straight victory in the Super 8 phase. Brook anchored the pursuit, while Will Jacks chipped in with a brisk 28 to keep the chase on track. Pakistan’s bowling effort was led by Shaheen Shah Afridi, who returned figures of 4 for 30, and Usman Tariq, who claimed 2 for 31, but their strikes came a touch too late to derail England.
Earlier, after opting to bat, Pakistan were guided by Sahibzada Farhan’s 63 from 45 balls. Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman added 25 apiece, helping their side post a competitive total, though it ultimately proved insufficient.
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.
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Home/Cricket/Harry Brook’s thunderous century breaks T20 World Cup barrier for captains; Shaheen Afridi applauds with classy gesture
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