KANDY: Two-time champions England registered a hard-earned two-wicket victory over Pakistan in the high-stakes Super Eights match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 here at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha’s decision to bat first backfired as the 2009 champions only managed 164/9 in their 20 overs, courtesy of a half-century from in-form opener Sahibzada Farhan.
Farhan was the top scorer for the Green Shirts with a spirited 63 off 45 deliveries with the help of seven fours and two sixes. He was supported by Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman, 25 each, besides all-rounder Shadab Khan, who contributed 23 off 11 balls at the back.
Liam Dawson led England’s bowling charge with three wickets for just 24 runs in his four overs, while Adil Rashid and Jofra Archer got two each.
In turn, England chased down the target of 165 runs in the first delivery of the final for the loss of eight wickets after captain Harry Brook’s fiery century.
Brook led England’s successful chase with a 51-ball 100, studded with 10 fours and four sixes, while Will Jacks (28) and Sam Curran (16) made notable contributions.
Shaheen was the pick of the Pakistan bowlers as he took four wickets for just 30 runs in his four overs, while Usman Tariq Nawaz was able to claim two each.
The victory, which marked England’s second in as many matches in the Super Eights, helped them become the first team to qualify for the semi-finals of the ongoing 20-team tournament, while consolidating top spot in Group 2 with four points.
Pakistan, on the other hand, dropped to third place behind New Zealand, with whom their first Super Eights match was washed out due to incessant rain in Colombo last week.
The defeat made the 2009 champions even more dependent on the outcome of the remaining Group 2 matches, as they would now need New Zealand to lose the remaining two matches against Sri Lanka and England, as well as beat the co-hosts to qualify for the semi-finals.
However, if New Zealand managed to win one of the remaining two matches, the Green Shirts would need to beat Sri Lanka by a significant margin to improve the Blackcaps’ net run rate and clinch second place.
For the unversed, Pakistan’s final Super Eights match is scheduled against Sri Lanka at the same venue on Saturday.
