England reached the T20 World Cup semi-finals with a thrilling two-wicket win over Pakistan in Pallekele, sealed by Jofra Archer’s decisive first-ball boundary through midwicket.
Harry Brook starred with a 50-ball maiden T20I century, becoming the third English batter to score centuries across formats, hitting a six over cover and a four through long-off.
Despite Brook’s heroics, England struggled late, scoring only six runs from 12 legal deliveries and losing three wickets with victory nearly in sight.
Pakistan fought back with key breakthroughs, including Usman Tariq’s early wicket and Mohammad Nawaz stumping Jamie Overton, keeping the chase tense until the final deliveries.
Earlier, Pakistan posted 165 for eight, with Sahibzada Farhan contributing but lacking support as England bowlers Overton and Dawson removed experienced batters Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman.
England’s win highlighted their resilience despite uneven form in the tournament, with Will Jacks continuing to provide crucial all-round contributions for his side.
The victory ensured England’s fifth consecutive semi-final appearance in the Men’s T20 World Cup, even as they have yet to deliver their most dominant performance.
Below are some social media reactions:
While responding to the match, former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez wrote, “Tactical errors caused team Pakistan not in this match but whole tournament.”
Tactical errors caused team Pakistan not in this match but whole tournament.. #PakvsEng #ICCMensT20WorldCup2026
— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) February 24, 2026
Indians and Pakistanis are on same page on Babar#PAKvsENG #ENGvPAK #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/MvABl4Cg3y
— Showbiz & News (@ShowbizAndNewz) February 24, 2026
While praising Shaheen Afridi, former captain Mohammad Yousuf said that the eagle has finally silenced the critics with exceptional composure.
The Eagle, @iShaheenAfridi, silenced the critics with exceptional composure. His fitness, pace, and discipline were exactly where we expect them to be. Time to let the bird fly. #PAKvsENG Can Usman Tariq win it for Pakistan from here?
— Mohammad Yousaf (@yousaf1788) February 24, 2026
Renowned Indian journalist Vikrant Gupta criticized Salman Agha for his poor captaincy, saying, “Just like the India game, Salman Agha was poor with his captaincy.”
Just like the India game, Salman Agha poor with his captaincy. Their biggest winner Usman Tariq bowls the 8th over, picks a wicket and doesn’t concede runs, and Kaptaan Saab takes him off, and brings him on only after others conceded 36 off next 3 overs – virtually when the game…
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) February 24, 2026
True then, true now, true forever. #PakistanCricket pic.twitter.com/FKxrGtBs6G
— Rehan Ulhaq (@Rehan_ulhaq) February 24, 2026
Stats analyst Azeem Siddiqui shared stats of Saim Ayub as an opening batter, comparing him with Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Ahmed Shahzad.
Saim Ayub has now batted 55 innings as an opener in T20Is for Pakistan, the 4th one to do so. Here is his comparison with 3 other openers:
Rizwan – Runs: 2,458, Avg: 55.86, SR: 129.43
Babar – Runs: 2,011, Avg: 40.22, SR: 131.86
Shehzad – Runs: 1,425, Avg: 26.88, SR: 115.29
Saim…— Azeem Siddiqui (@aze3msiddiqui) February 24, 2026
We all know who costed us this match. The so-called no.1 batsman of Pakistan and highest run-scorer in T20Is (lmao).
Backing a liability again and again and letting him statpad… that’s on Agha & Hesson. pic.twitter.com/J1mIh60t0F https://t.co/iV5Ciof3Dq
— Kh4N PCT (@Kh4N_PCT) February 24, 2026
