Harry Brook insists England are still striving for perfection despite booking their place in the T20 World Cup semi-finals with a two-wicket win over Pakistan. 

Brook starred for the 2022 winners at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday by scoring a brilliant 51-ball century, his maiden ton in the shortest format. 

Indeed, it was also the first 100 by a captain at this year's tournament. In fact, Brook became just the third England batter to score that many runs in all three men's international formats, after Jos Buttler and Dawid Malan. 

Will Jacks also chipped in with 28 while Liam Dawson's figures of 3-24 helped to restrict Pakistan to 164-9, with England reaching their target with five balls remaining. 

England have now won both of their games at the Super 8s stage, having beaten Sri Lanka by 51 runs in their first match, with New Zealand up next this Friday. 

Brook, however, was left wanting more from his team, telling Sky Sports: "I'm very happy with the way we played there. 

"It's just nice to get through to the semi-finals now, but we still have one more game against New Zealand, so we will focus on that before the bigger prize on the other side.

"There's obviously areas that we still want to improve on. You can never quite get perfection, but we are always striving for it."

100 - @Harry_Brook_88's 100 today was his maiden ton in men's T20Is and the first ton by a captain at the @ICC Men's #T20WorldCup; in fact, he became the 3rd @englandcricket batter to log a ton in all three men's international formats (also Jos Buttler & Dawid Malan). Momentous. pic.twitter.com/Uka9x4ROco

— OptaJim (@OptaJim) February 24, 2026

Brook had started the tournament, his first as England's captain, with 53 against Nepal, but he was then dismissed for less than 20 in his next four innings in a row. 

He decided to move up two spots from number five in the batting order, and found himself at the crease on the second ball after Phil Salt was dismissed for a golden duck. 

Shaheen Afridi took three wickets in the powerplay as England were reduced to 58-4, but Brook steadied the ship before he was bowled out by Afridi in the 17th over. 

"It was brilliant," Jacks said of Brook's century. "Obviously, he was given that extra responsibility going up to number three and got a hundred straight away. 

"It's difficult facing Shaheen early on, and then we know the quality of their spinners.

"I imagine he knew he was batting at three before me – I only found out on the bus on the way to ground. I think he is our best batter and should face as many balls as possible.

"Whatever the team needs you to do. If he can face 10 or 15 balls in the powerplay, then when the spinner comes on, he's got rhythm.

"He can smack spin, but obviously everyone finds it a struggle starting against spin."

Pakistan, meanwhile, saw their first Super 8s game with New Zealand abandoned due to rain, and they face co-hosts Sri Lanka on Saturday. 

The 2009 champions know a win in that match is a must if they are to progress, though captain Salman Ali Agha had some stern words for his team. 

"Honestly, this is a very embarrassing defeat for us. It's really hard to accept this loss," Salman said. "Overall, we played good cricket and could've won the match.

"We are still hopeful that in the next match we can do well and make a comeback.

"We hope to reach the semi-finals still and win the World Cup trophy to make the whole country happy. With Allah by our side, everything is possible.

"Hopefully England also beat New Zealand for us."