England scripted a dramatic chapter in their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign as they edged past Pakistan by two wickets in a nail-biting Super 8 clash in Pallekele on Tuesday. With this hard-fought victory, the 2-time champions became the first team to book their place in the semi-finals of the global tournament.
Chasing a competitive total under pressure, England held their nerve in the final overs to seal the contest, showcasing the depth and resilience that have defined their white-ball revolution in recent years. Led by skipper Harry Brook, England have displayed a balanced brand of cricket throughout the tournament. Whether it was their calculated chases or disciplined bowling performances, the side has consistently found different heroes stepping up in crunch moments. Against Pakistan, it was once again a collective effort that propelled them over the line in a tense finish.
Having navigated past tough opponents and high-pressure situations, England now shift their focus to securing a top-two finish in the Super 8 standings, aiming to carry momentum into the knockout stage.
Jos Buttler endures a tough phase with the bat
While England’s campaign has been largely successful, one of their most experienced campaigners, Jos Buttler, has endured an uncharacteristic lean run with the bat in the tournament.
Buttler has managed just 62 runs so far in the competition. His scores read 26 against Nepal, 21 versus the West Indies, three against Scotland, and three against Italy during the group stage. The struggles continued in the Super 8 phase, where he registered seven against Sri Lanka and just two against Pakistan.
Harry Brook opens up on the poor form of Buttler
Despite the dip in form, skipper Brook came out strongly in support of the veteran wicketkeeper-batter after the win over Pakistan. Speaking to the ICC, Brook dismissed concerns around Buttler’s form and urged critics to show patience.
“No, like I said plenty of times, he’s a powerhouse of world cricket. He’s done it on every stage. He’s won World Cups in ODIs and T20s and it’s just a matter of time,” Brook said.
Brook highlighted Buttler’s vast experience and impact in world cricket, pointing to his impressive numbers across formats. Brook’s backing underlines the belief within the English camp that Buttler’s resurgence could be just around the corner — a worrying prospect for their opponents in the knockout rounds.
“He’s played over 500 T20s, he’s played 150-odd for England, and he’s still averaging 35 striking at 145. He’s arguably our best player, and he’s just not hitting them out of the middle at the minute. People have probably got to cut him a little bit of slack,” he added.
Fans expect more as England eye final berth
With a semi-final berth already secured, expectations from England have soared. Fans believe this side has the firepower and temperament to go all the way and lift another ICC trophy.
However, supporters are also keen to see their star performers, especially Buttler, rediscover their touch before the knockouts. In high-stakes matches, experience often proves decisive, and Buttler’s ability to change games within a few overs remains unmatched.
