KANDY: Two-time champions England on Tuesday 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.
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha’s decision to bat first backfired as the 2009 champions managed just 164/9 in their 20 overs, thanks to a half-century from in-form opener Sahibzada Farhan.
Farhan top-scored for the Green Shirts with a quick 63 off 45 deliveries with the help of seven fours and two sixes. He was supported by Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman, 25 each, as well as all-rounder Shadab Khan, who contributed with an 11-ball 23 in the back order.
Liam Dawson led England’s bowling charge with three wickets for just 24 runs in his four overs, while Adil Rashid and Jofra Archer scored two each.
In turn, England chased down the target of 165 runs in the first delivery of the final over for the loss of eight wickets after captain Harry Brook’s blazing century.
Brook spearheaded 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 Pakistan’s bowlers as he picked up four wickets for just 30 runs in his four overs, while Usman Tariq Nawaz could claim two wickets each.
The victory, which marks England’s second victory in as many Super Eights matches, helped them become the first team to qualify for the semi-finals of the ongoing 20-team tournament, consolidating top spot in Group 2 with four points.
Pakistan, on the other hand, slipped to third place behind New Zealand, with whom their opening Super Eight match was canceled due to incessant rain in Colombo last week.
The defeat left the 2009 champions dependent on the outcome of the remaining Group 2 matches, as they would now need New Zealand to lose their remaining two matches against Sri Lanka and England, in addition to beating the co-hosts to qualify for the semi-finals.
However, if New Zealand manage to win one of their two remaining matches, then the Green Shirts would have to beat Sri Lanka by a significant margin to improve the Blackcaps’ net run rate and clinch the second spot.
For those who are not in the know, Pakistan’s final match in the Super Eights is scheduled against Sri Lanka at the same venue on Saturday.
