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COLOMBO: England sealed a nervy last-over victory against New Zealand in the Group 2 Super Eight fixture of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 here at the RPS Stadium on Friday.
Set a stiff 160, England managed to secure a thrilling victory in the last over.
England lost wickets early and looked like they would be squeezed out at 117-6, needing 43 from the last three overs.
But Ahmed and Jacks took 22 off the 18th over from Glenn Phillips to turn the match on its head.
Ahmed blasted 19 off seven balls in his first T20 World Cup match.
Jacks made an unbeaten 32 off 18 as the pair saw England to 161-6 with three balls to spare.
Jacks, who also took 2-23 to be England’s leading bowler, was named player of the match for an incredible fourth time in seven T20 World Cup outings this campaign.
England will move on to a semi-final in Mumbai on Thursday against either India or the West Indies, who clash on Sunday to decide the last semi-final berth.
New Zealand now have to sweat on the outcome of Saturday’s clash between Sri Lanka and Pakistan in Kandy which will decide the second semi-finalist from Super Eights Group 2.
Pakistan have an inferior run rate to New Zealand so will need to win by 65 runs or inside 13 overs, if chasing, to deny the Kiwis.
England spinners spun a web around the New Zealand batting lineup, restricting them from imposing an important total.
Opting to bat first, New Zealand managed 159-7 at the end of their 20 overs.
Tim Seifert and Finn Allen laid a solid foundation with a 64-run partnership in seven overs.
Adil Rashid broke the threatening stand as Siefert was stumped, courtesy of a brilliant piece of work from Jos Buttler behind the stumps. The right-hander made 35 off 25, smashing two sixes and three fours.
The second wicket also fell in quick succession. Finn Allen was caught off Will Jacks’ bowling after managing 29 from 19 with the aid of three sixes.
After a double blow, Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra stabilized the innings with a 31-run partnership.
The scorecard read when Ravindra fell prey to Rehan Ahmed. He scored 11 off 13.
After a solid start, New Zealand’s middle order crumbled with England spinners tightening the screws.
The only notable batter was Glenn Phillips, who hit a vital 39 from 28 balls with the help of a six and four boundaries.
The right-hander stood firm when wickets tumbled around him. As New Zealand collapsed to 123-4 to 135-6 in 17.1 overs.
Eventually, they managed to put a respectable total on the board at the end of the innings.
For England, Will Jacks, Adil Rashid, and Rehan Ahmed shared six wickets between them.
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