T20 World Cup 2026 [WATCH]: Super 8 showdown at Pallekele turns ugly as England and Pakistan fans engage in physical altercation

The Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy witnessed a rollercoaster of emotions on Tuesday, as England secured a thrilling two-wicket victory over Pakistan in the 45th match of the T20 World Cup. While the Super Eights, Group 2 encounter provided high-octane cricket that saw Harry Brook etch his name into the history books, the evening was unfortunately marred by a violent physical altercation in the stands that has since gone viral.

Tensions boil over as England and Pakistan supporters fight during Super 8 encounter

Despite the festive atmosphere typical of Sri Lankan cricket hubs, tensions reached a breaking point during the mid-innings interval. An ugly brawl erupted between a section of the traveling England supporters and Pakistan fans, specifically centering on a spectator identified as Saud. Video footage captured by onlookers shows a heated verbal exchange rapidly escalating into a physical scuffle, forcing local Sri Lankan security and nearby spectators to intervene to prevent serious injury.

The incident gained massive digital traction after Australian influencer Jake Jennings shared the footage on social media. Jennings labeled Saud a “serial offender,” claiming he had witnessed the individual causing similar disruptions earlier in the tournament, and publicly urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to implement a stadium ban.

However, Saud offered a starkly different account of the provocation. Speaking to local reporters after being escorted from the section, he alleged that the England supporters were the aggressors, claiming they “misbehaved” and threw beer at him, an act he described as a deep personal and cultural insult. While the ICC and Pallekele stadium authorities have yet to release a formal disciplinary statement, the footage has sparked a heated debate regarding fan conduct and security protocols for the remainder of the knockout stages.

Here’s the video:

Play silly games, win silly prizes.

Serial offender. Time for the @ICC to take a stand. #cricket #worldcup pic.twitter.com/pdbrAG13tY

— Jake Jeakings (@JakeJeakings1) February 24, 2026

Harry Brook’s historic ton powers England to the semi-finals

On the field, the narrative was dominated by a masterclass from England Captain Brook. After Pakistan elected to bat first, they posted a competitive 164/9. Sahibzada Farhan was the standout performer for the Men in Green, continuing his golden run with a gritty 63 off 45 balls. While Babar Azam (25) struggled for timing, Liam Dawson’s clinical spell of 3/24 kept the Pakistani middle order in check.

England’s chase began in nightmarish fashion. Shaheen Shah Afridi produced a trademark opening burst, removing Phil Salt for a golden duck with the first ball of the innings before accounting for Jos Buttler and Jacob Bethell. With the scoreboard reeling, Brook promoted himself to No. 3, a tactical gamble that paid off in spectacular fashion.

Brook smashed a breathtaking 100 off just 51 deliveries, becoming the first captain ever to score a century in a Men’s T20 World Cup. His maiden T20I hundred turned the tide, though a late-inning collapse saw him fall to a searing Afridi yorker. With 3 runs required in the final over and nerves frayed, Jofra Archer held his composure to smash a boundary, finishing the game at 166/8 with five balls to spare.

This victory officially makes England the first team to qualify for the semi-finals, while Pakistan must now win their final fixture and rely on net run-rate math to keep their trophy dreams alive.