Harry Brook delivered when it mattered most. With a place in the T20 World Cup 2026 semi-finals on the line, the England captain rose to the occasion with a breathtaking century that will be remembered as one of the defining innings of this tournament.

Brook's 100 off just 51 deliveries was a masterclass in aggressive yet controlled batting, dismantling a competitive Pakistan bowling attack with a mix of elegant stroke play and raw power. His innings guided England to a hard-fought 2-wicket victory in the Super 8s, and more importantly, confirmed them as the first team to book a semi-final berth in this edition of the showpiece event.

The England skipper was the obvious choice for the Player of the Match award, and his teammates were quick to acknowledge the magnitude of his contribution. Chasing what was clearly a challenging total, England found themselves in trouble before Brook took command. His knock shifted the momentum decisively, and though the margin of victory was narrow at just two wickets, England's passage to the last four never truly felt in doubt once their captain found his rhythm.

This T20 World Cup has been a tournament that has rewritten the record books when it comes to batting. Brook's hundred was one of a remarkable four centuries scored across the competition so far, a new record for any single edition of the T20 World Cup. The tournament has also produced the most 200-plus team totals in the history of the event, underlining just how much the balance has shifted in favour of batters on the pitches prepared for this competition.

Whether it is flatter decks, improved batting techniques, or simply the fearless approach that modern T20 cricket demands, the numbers speak for themselves. Bowlers across all teams have been put to the sword, and Brook's century against Pakistan was perhaps the most significant of them all given the stakes involved.

Elsewhere in the Super 8s, New Zealand continued their strong form with a comprehensive 61-run victory over Sri Lanka on February 25. The Black Caps remain firmly in contention for a semi-final spot of their own, and their convincing performance will have sent a warning to the remaining teams in the competition.

Attention now turns to two crucial Super 8s fixtures on February 26 that could go a long way toward determining the rest of the semi-final lineup. India face Zimbabwe in a match where the Men in Blue will be eager to strengthen their position in the standings, while South Africa take on the West Indies in what promises to be a fiercely contested encounter between two sides with genuine ambitions of lifting the trophy.

For England, the hard work is far from over. Qualifying first provides valuable momentum and the confidence that comes with knowing their place in the knockout rounds is secure. Brook's men can now approach their remaining Super 8s matches with freedom, fine-tuning their combinations ahead of the semi-finals.

But make no mistake, it is Brook's innings that will dominate the headlines. In a tournament full of extraordinary batting performances, the England captain has produced the most important one yet. If he continues in this vein, England will be very difficult to stop when the semi-finals come around.