There are innings that win matches, and then there are innings that rewrite the record books. Harry Brook delivered the latter in Pallekele on Monday, hammering a sensational century to drag England from the depths of despair and into the semi-finals of the 2026 T20 World Cup.

Chasing a modest but testing target of 165 against a fired-up Pakistan bowling attack, England found themselves staring down the barrel at 58 for 4. The top order had crumbled, wickets had tumbled in clusters, and the tournament favourites appeared to be heading for an early exit. Then Brook walked to the middle and proceeded to dismantle everything Pakistan threw at him.

The England captain's innings was a masterclass in controlled aggression. His 100 came off just 51 deliveries, laced with 10 boundaries and four towering sixes that disappeared into the Sri Lankan night sky. It was not merely the runs that mattered but the manner in which they arrived. Brook combined classical strokeplay with raw power, manipulating the field when the gaps were there and clearing the ropes when the bowlers erred in length.

The significance of the knock cannot be overstated. Brook became the first captain in the entire history of the T20 World Cup to score a century in the tournament, a record that stretches back to the competition's inception in 2007. It is also the highest score ever recorded by an England captain at a men's T20 World Cup, surpassing some illustrious names who have led the country in the shortest format.

With Brook orchestrating proceedings from one end, England chased down the target with five balls to spare, completing a two-wicket victory that sends them through as the first team to book a semi-final berth in this edition of the tournament. The celebrations in the England camp told the story of a side that knew just how close they had come to disaster.

For Pakistan, the defeat is a bitter pill to swallow. Having posted 164 and reduced England to 58 for 4, they had the match firmly in their grasp. But as has happened so often in World Cup cricket, one individual performance can swing the entire complexion of a contest in a matter of overs. Pakistan now face a nervous wait as the Super 8 stage continues, with matches running until March 8 to determine the remaining semi-finalists.

The 2026 T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, has already produced its share of memorable moments, but Brook's century stands head and shoulders above the rest. It was an innings born of necessity, shaped by skill, and finished with the cold-blooded composure that separates good players from truly great ones.

England will now prepare for the semi-finals with their captain in imperious form and the confidence that comes from knowing they can win from any position. For Brook personally, this innings may well come to define his captaincy. When his side needed him most, with his back against the wall and the tournament on the line, he delivered one of the finest knocks in T20 World Cup history.

The rest of the cricketing world has been put on notice. England are not just in the semi-finals. They are dangerous.