Photo via Hindustan Times

‘Not even Pietersen could come close’: Ben Stokes fires back at Brook’s detractors after 114* blitz in ‘harsh’ KP claim

Harry Brook struck a blistering 49-ball unbeaten 114 to guide England to an emphatic 119-run victory over Sri Lanka in their series-opening T20 international. The captain's knock featured ten fours and six sixes, highlighted by taking six boundaries off a single Dunith Wellalage over, as well as a 128-run partnership across 60 deliveries with Jos Buttler, who contributed 80 toward England's 254-4 total.

Sri Lanka folded for 135 in response, undone by Sonny Baker's debut white-ball international haul of 3-12 across four overs on his Hampshire home pitch, handing the world second-ranked hosts a 1-0 advantage in the three-game matchup.

The display marked Brook's first century across 18 international innings spanning all formats since a February World Cup contest against Pakistan, and equaled the second-quickest T20 century recorded for England. Watching from retirement, took to social media to push back against critics who had targeted Brook over an 11-match Test century drought lasting more than a year.