Harry Brook has said he wants to be the player England fans and the team can rely on, as he heads into the tri-series in Pakistan with his captaincy record showing clear improvement. England face Pakistan on October 20 in Rawalpindi, with Sri Lanka also part of the tournament and the final scheduled for October 31.
Brook was appointed England’s permanent ODI and T20I captain on April 7, 2025, replacing Jos Buttler following England’s exit from the Champions Trophy. He had first led the side in a stand-in capacity during the Australia ODI series in September 2024 when Buttler was injured. His first full assignment as permanent captain came against West Indies from May 29 to June 10, 2025, when England won both the ODI and T20I series 3-0.
“I’ve learnt a lot as a captain, I’ve learnt a lot as a person. I know it wasn’t an ideal situation to put myself in, but I feel like as a captain and a leader I’ve learnt a lot. Responsibilities and leadership aren’t just on the field, they’re more so off the field as well and actions speak louder than words. I enjoy the extra responsibility. I like the extra little bit of added pressure. I’m not going to go out there and score runs every time I bat but I want to be the man that is in that match-winning situation who can get us over the line. I know there have been a few innings where I haven’t managed to do that but hopefully I’ve turned that corner and I can really be the man England fans and the team rely on,” Brook said, as quoted by The Independent.
Brook’s comments come after a nightclub incident in Wellington on October 31, 2025, hours before he led England in an ODI against New Zealand. The episode raised questions about his conduct off the field, which Brook acknowledged in his remarks about leadership responsibilities extending beyond the boundary.
How has Brook’s captaincy record shaped up?
Brook’s numbers with the bat have improved noticeably since he took on the captaincy. His ODI average as captain stands at 51.3, compared to 25.2 as a player, a difference that underlines the added responsibility appearing to bring out a more measured approach from him.
England‘s team results have also moved in a positive direction. The side won their last three ODI series after losing seven of their eight ODI series before Brook took charge. England’s T20 team currently sits at the top of the world rankings, a position that reflects the consistency the side has built across formats. Brook also spoke about the squad’s depth ahead of the Pakistan series.
“It’s a great experience for us and with the potential of getting to a final, it gives us even more experience in those games where it’s do-or-die. It’s going to be one hell of a series. “In the last six to eight months and we’re certainly trending in the right direction as a squad. I think we’re really building towards the make-up of the side that we want. Me and Baz [Brendon McCullum] feel like we’ve got a squad where if someone does go down five minutes before the toss, we’re in a position where someone else can come in and fill that role perfectly well,” Brook said.
Jos Buttler is absent from England’s 16-strong squad in Pakistan due to injury, while Jofra Archer has been rested. Pakistan, who beat Sri Lanka on October 18, are considered a strong ODI side and will provide a stern test for Brook’s team in the opening match.
What are Brook’s thoughts on his Test record and squad selection?
Away from the white-ball series, Brook’s Test batting average of 53.08 is the highest among England batters with 20 or more Test matches over the past 50 years. Former England Test captain Ben Stokes has told Brook that his Test average should be 65 or 70, a target Brook responded to with characteristic perspective.
“I mean 65 or 70 is a massive average, isn’t it, wow! “Personally I’m not that bothered about the stats, I’ve always said I think there should be a match-winning column in your stats – that’s not there. I write stuff down and I try and judge myself on whether I’ve had a match-winning performance or match-winning impact in that specific game and I try and tally it up at the end of the year and see how well I’ve done,” Brook said.
On the squad for Pakistan, Mason Crane has been selected ahead of Rehan Ahmed, with Crane’s last England appearance coming more than eight years ago. Brook was clear that Ahmed has not been dropped permanently.
“There’s certainly no line through Rehan’s name at all. Mason’s just performed exceptionally well and we think that he deserves an opportunity to be in and around the squads,” Brook said.
