England Captain Harry Brook (L) and Liam Dawson (C), Jofra Archer (R) (Source: AFP)
England broke India’s major T20 World Cup record, as they became the first team to qualify for the semi-finals of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026 after defeating Pakistan by two runs in their second Super-8 match.
After confirming their spot in the semi-finals of the tournament’s current edition, England are all set for their record-equalling sixth appearance in the knockout stage. They have surpassed India, who have had five semi-final appearances to their name in the prestigious cricket biennial’s history.
Notably, the defending champions, India, qualified for the semi-finals in the T20 World Cup in 2007, 2014, 2016, 2022, and 2024.
England equal Pakistan's record, surpassing India's in T20 World Cup history
With another semi-final qualification in the prestigous cricket biennial, the Three Lions have equalled the 2009 World T20 champions, Pakistan, to become the team with the joint-most (6) semi-final appearances in the tournament’s history.
Speaking of thier earlier semi-final qualifications, they entered the semis for the first time in the T20 World Cup 2010, where they also lifted the title, defeating Australia in the final. It was also the first-ever ICC title for England in the history of the game.
Six years after becoming World T20 champions, they qualified for the semis in the T20 World Cup 2016, where they defeated New Zealand to reach the final. Unfortunately in the final, they lost to the eventual champions, the West Indies.
Later in 2021, 2022, and 2024, they qualified for the semis in the consecutive editions, including their second World T20 title win in the 2022 edition in Australia.
Also Read: All Records Broken By History-Maker Harry Brook During His Epic Century vs Pakistan
England surpass Pakistan and Sri Lanka to achieve another World T20 milestone
Besides that, England are now the team with the most successive appearances in the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup. The Three Lions have been a constant team in the semi-finals since the 2016 edition, which was also played in India.
It will be the fifth consecutive semi-final game for English side in the T20 World Cup across five editions over a decade. They have surpassed the Pakistan cricket team, who reached the semi-finals in four consecutive editions from 2007 to 2012.
Pakistan's four successive appearances also included their first and only World T20 title, which they won in 2009, defeating Sri Lanka in the final at the Lord’s. Pakistan are joined by Sri Lanka in this list's second spot, who also had four consecutive semi-final appearances in 2009, 2010, 2012, and 2014.
Notably, the Islanders lifted their maiden World T20 title in the 2014 season in Bangladesh, defeating India in the final.
England bounce back after early fumble in T20 World Cup 2026
Interestingly, the Harry Brook-led England have been through a ‘roller coaster’ kind of journey in the tournament’s current edition. Their campaign started with a hard-earned four-run win against Nepal, where the latter tested their strength till the last ball of the game.
Later, Brook and Co. lost to the West Indies by 30 runs, followed by a five-wicket win against Scotland, which also saw a good fight from the Scottish side. In their last group-stage game, 2022 World T20 champions had a tough time from the debutants, Italy.
England posted 202 runs for the loss of seven wickets in the first innings, and Italy scored 178 runs, losing the game by a ‘not so big’ margin of 24 runs. With this win, the English side became the second team to qualify for the Super-8 stage from Group C.
In the Super-8 stage, they have been in a good touch so far, defeating Sri Lanka by 51 runs in the first game, followed by a two-wicket win against Pakistan on Tuesday. Now, they will take on New Zealand in their last Super-8 match before the T20 World Cup 2026's knockout stage.
Also Read: WI vs SA Head To Head Records- Super 8, ICC T20 World Cup 2026
