Live
24 Feb 2026 - 18:10
 (18:10 GMT)

Goodbye for now

That is it from our live text commentary stream of England against Pakistan.

Thanks for joining us and we do hope you enjoyed our coverage.

Do join us on Wednesday for the UEFA Champions League tie between Real Madrid and Benfica, if you can.

For now, though – from me Kevin Hand and on behalf of Hafsa Adil – it’s goodbye.

24 Feb 2026 - 18:00
 (18:00 GMT)

Next up for Al Jazeera Sport

Our next live sport coverage comes from the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.

Real Madrid carry a narrow 1-0 aggregate lead against Benfica into the second leg.

Sadly, a great deal of the focus from the first match was on the alleged racist abuse of Vinicius Junior.

The second is, regrettably, set to be a tense affair once again.

Join our coverage at 17:00 GMT for our extensive live build-up.

24 Feb 2026 - 17:46
 (17:46 GMT)

Stat attack – England

This is the fifth T20 World Cup tournament that England have qualified for the semifinal stage.

24 Feb 2026 - 17:40
 (17:40 GMT)

Read all about it: Our England-Pakistan report is live

Click here to read our full match report following England’s win.

24 Feb 2026 - 17:36
 (17:36 GMT)

Next up for Pakistan

Pakistan return to this venue, Pallekele Cricket Stadium, on Saturday to face Sri Lanka.

By then, their equation will be quite clear.

24 Feb 2026 - 17:30
 (17:30 GMT)

Next up for England

England will face New Zealand on Friday at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

If England can win that game, then Pakistan’s World Cup dream will return to their own hands.

24 Feb 2026 - 17:23
 (17:23 GMT)

Brook’s post-match thoughts

“We wanted to maximise the powerplay more, and everyone knows I like to take the game on. I did it from ball one and glad it came off,” the England captain says.

“I had been thinking about moving to three a lot, not just for England but in all forms of the game.

“We struggled in the field unfortunately. It was a bobbly outfield, and we missed a few unfortunately.

“It is so important to get off to a good start with the ball, and Archer has been doing it for years and nice to take a few wickets early.

“It was a little nervy at the end. Thankfully, we got over the line, and now we focus on New Zealand and play against them with a lot of confidence.”

24 Feb 2026 - 17:22
 (17:22 GMT)

Salman’s post-match thoughts

“We started well, but couldn’t finish the way we wanted to,” the Pakistan captain says.

“Sometimes, you have to give credit to the opposition. Brook took the game away from us.

“We will watch when England play New Zealand – hope it goes our way and then beat Sri Lanka.

“Farhan has batted extremely well in every game, and the last six months, we haven’t batted well around him, but hope to do well going forward.

“Whenever we lose against England, it is always Brook. Hopefully, they can win against New Zealand for us now.

“When he goes the way he went today, it is very hard. He can play 360. It is very challenging.

“They batted well against Tariq. They didn’t go hard against him and took ones and twos instead.

“Cricket is a funny game, and anything can happen. Nawaz bowled well at the end, and I thought we could win it.”

24 Feb 2026 - 17:13
 (17:13 GMT)

Jacks’s post-match thoughts

“It is nice to qualify with one game to go,” the England batter tells Sky Sports.

“I was disappointed when I got out and had to look up, and the board – you have to stay tuned in when we are playing.

“[Brook] was very special to watch. He is our best batter and should face as many balls as possible.

“Brook managed to face 15 or 20 balls in the powerplay before the spin took grip.

“He has led from the front. … Bravery is not just a mindset. It is taking calculated risks.

“He scored at 200 [strike rate], but it didn’t feel like he chased the game, and that is the skill.”

24 Feb 2026 - 17:08
 (17:08 GMT)

Brook is Player of the Match

“Very happy with the way we played,” the England captain says.

“It is nice to get through to the semifinals. One more game against New Zealand, and we will focus on that.

“Brendan McCullum came to me this morning and said, ‘We might put you up to three.’ It was awesome.

“It was nice to get out there and face as many balls as possible.

“They are a world-class side, and it was nice to get over the line.

“There are areas we still want to improve on. You can never get perfection, but we keep striving for it.

“I was just happy we got the job done. It was a tricky situation to start with.”

24 Feb 2026 - 17:03
 (17:03 GMT)

Pakistan’s dreams are out of their hands

Pakistan must now beat Sri Lanka and hope other results go their way.

It is not completely over just yet for Salman’s boys.

The washout against New Zealand could cruelly cost them, though.

24 Feb 2026 - 17:02
 (17:02 GMT)

England reach the semifinals

The first team to reach the last four at this tournament is confirmed, but that was hard work in the end.

24 Feb 2026 - 17:01
 (17:01 GMT)

England win by two wickets!

Archer pulls the first ball of the over to deep mid-wicket for four.

24 Feb 2026 - 17:00
 (17:00 GMT)

Mirza to bowl the last over

Pakistan is penalised for slow overs. Only four allowed on the ropes.

24 Feb 2026 - 16:59
 (16:59 GMT)

19 overs. England 162-8

Nawaz can’t get to a forward defence by Archer. Dawson was between him and the ball. Single taken.

Three to win from the final over.

24 Feb 2026 - 16:58
 (16:58 GMT)

WICKET! Overton stumped. England 161-8

The right-hander loses his head and charges the spinner. What is happening?

Overton st Usman b Nawaz 0 (3)

24 Feb 2026 - 16:57
 (16:57 GMT)

Nearly for Pakistan

Nearly a chip to midwicket, nearly a run out. Two to come.

24 Feb 2026 - 16:56
 (16:56 GMT)

Overton defends

A dot ball is pushed back by the right-hander.

24 Feb 2026 - 16:56
 (16:56 GMT)

Single to start for Dawson

The left-hander cuts to deep cover to begin.

24 Feb 2026 - 16:55
 (16:55 GMT)

Dawson joins Overton in the middle

Just five needed from 11, England need to keep it simple.

 

Team Lineups

 

Standings