TimesofIndia.com in Kandy: As Pakistan’s T20 World Cup campaign teetered on the edge, one moment captured both the pain of defeat and the spirit of the game. When Shaheen Shah Afridi finally dismissed
Harry Brook for a sublime century, the Pakistan fast bowler walked across, shook hands with the England captain, and offered a gesture of genuine respect.
“He deserved it because he had the world class innings in his life,” Shaheen said later. “I think it’s the best innings. Anyone who plays like that, you should appreciate it.”
“Harry and me had a very good friendship,” he said. “We played together in PSL. Anyone who plays an innings like that, you should appreciate it," he added.
Brook’s hundred at Pallekele was not merely a match-winning knock. It was a captain’s innings played under pressure on a difficult surface, and it came at the direct expense of Pakistan’s semi-final ambitions. England’s victory has sealed their place in the last-four, while Pakistan now need results elsewhere to keep their campaign alive.
“These things happen in cricket,” Shaheen said, who picked up 4 for 30 against England. “But we are still in the tournament, anything can happen. We are thinking that we get this one opportunity. Firstly, we should win this match. I hope New Zealand loses their match.”
The reality, however, is harsh. Pakistan’s margin for error has evaporated, and Shaheen acknowledged that their own shortcomings played a role in the defeat, particularly with the bat.
Shaheen Shah Afridi celebrates the wicket of Phil Salt during the T20 World Cup cricket match between England and Pakistan in Pallekele, Sri Lanka. (AP)
“I feel on a wicket like this you need a partnership and you need somebody like a set batsman who can bat through the middle overs,” he said. “But unfortunately we lost wickets back to back, which is why we did not go for that 180 to 190 score.”
That contrast was evident in Brook’s innings. While Pakistan struggled to stitch partnerships together, Brook anchored England’s chase with clarity and control.
“If you see one side, Harry Brook, the way he went, wickets were falling, but he was still in the crease,” Shaheen said. “He was rotating the strike and building the partnership. I think we missed that opportunity.”
Shaheen reserved special praise for Brook’s preparation and shot selection, noting that the England captain succeeded where others struggled.
England's captain Harry Brook celebrates his century during the T20 World Cup cricket match between England and Pakistan in Pallekele, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)
“I never see a batsman (batter) like him,” he said. “Today he was properly ready for every ball to hit it. He was well prepared for us.”
The admiration was not born overnight. Shaheen and Brook share a bond forged during their time together in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) with the Lahore Qalandars. Shaheen recalled watching Brook long before he became a mainstay for England.
“When we picked him in PSL Lahore, I don’t think he played for England at that time,” Shaheen said. “He was just playing county cricket. But he played on Asian wickets and improved a lot. Today he came at number three. You need a leader who can take responsibility in big games.”
Brook’s promotion up the order did not surprise Shaheen, but the manner in which he embraced the responsibility stood out.
“Not surprised actually, but the way he took that responsibility as a captain, that was the best innings he played,” Shaheen said. “It was a captain’s innings.”
Shaheen Shah Afridi celebrates a wicket during the T20 World Cup Super Eight match against England. (Getty Images)
For Shaheen himself, the match was also personal. After being left out of two games earlier in the tournament, he returned with a fiery opening spell that gave Pakistan early hope.
“Yes, you said I was dropped,” Shaheen said. “But my focus was to work on my bowling, how to come back, and maintain my normal things so that I can give good results.”
He dismissed any talk of having something to prove.
“I don’t need to prove to anyone,” he said. “My job is whenever I have an opportunity, I will go and give 100 percent for my team.”
Shaheen hits out at Hesson
Pakistan's head coach Mike Hesson (R) with Shaheen Afridi during a practice session. (PTI)
Shaheen, who is Pakistan's ODI captain also took a jibe at coach Mike Hesson's obsession with having more all-rounders in the team.
"Look, he has a mindset, he is a head coach. I think he knows better than us how to run a team. And he is responsible for that," he said.
Shaheen explained that his emphasis on bowling a consistent length was a conscious decision based on conditions.
“If the wicket depends on length, why not go for length balls?” he said. “They were struggling and I was just trying to bowl the same length.”
His early success, including a first-over wicket, helped him settle quickly. “Whenever I play, my job is to take wickets early,” he said. “That’s why I bowl the first over. Today I was just planning how I can take wickets.”
Despite Shaheen’s burst and Pakistan’s promising start, Brook ensured that the game drifted away. His innings exposed the fine margins that now define Pakistan’s campaign. Missed partnerships, soft dismissals, and an inability to control the middle overs have left them relying on permutations rather than performances.
Pakistan's World Cup fate now rests partly in others’ hands. For England, and for Harry Brook, the night at Pallekele may be remembered as the moment a leader truly announced himself, even to those he left behind.
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