Brooke's knockback century leaves Shakib behind

In a dazzling display during the Super 8s of the T20 World Cup, Harry Brook single-handedly led England to victory over Pakistan, rewriting history and eclipsing records held by some of the game’s finest. Notably, the English captain broke a milestone previously held by Bangladesh’s star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan.

At Pallekele on Tuesday, Brook unleashed a breathtaking innings, scoring 100 runs off just 51 balls, steering his team to a commanding win. This remarkable knock marks the first century by a captain in T20 World Cup history, surpassing the previous record of 98 runs set by Chris Gayle.

Brook’s century was also historic against Pakistan. No batter had previously reached triple figures against the Men in Green in T20 World Cup matches. The previous record for the highest score against Pakistan was 84 runs by Shakib, scored off 54 balls in 2012 at Pallekele, making this feat even more significant.

What makes the innings even more extraordinary is its pace. Brook reached three figures in just 50 balls, making it the second-fastest century in T20 World Cup history. The fastest remains Chris Gayle, who achieved a 47-ball century against England in 2016. Additionally, Univers Bos had scored a century off 50 balls in 2007, highlighting the rarity of such a rapid score.

Brook’s achievement also places him among an elite group of English cricketers. With this century, he became the third English player to score centuries across all three formats of international cricket, joining the ranks of Jos Buttler and David Malan. Moreover, he is now the third English batter to score a T20 World Cup century, following Buttler and Alex Hales.

The innings was a masterclass in aggression and timing, with Brook combining power-hitting with precision. His record-breaking performance not only set new benchmarks but also solidified his growing reputation as one of England’s most prolific young talents.

Key Records from Brook’s Century

Brook’s sensational century at Pallekele will be remembered not only for the records it broke but for the authority and composure with which it was executed, proving yet again that England possess a dynamic force in their batting line-up.