Brief scores: England (161/6 in 19.3 ov) beat New Zealand (159/7 in 20 ov) by 4 wickets in Colombo in a Super 8 match.
ENG vs NZ T20 WORLD CUP 2026: HIGHLIGHTS | SCORECARD
Pakistan stayed alive in the T20 World Cup after England outclassed New Zealand by four wickets in their Super 8 encounter on Friday, February 27, at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. England marched through the Super 8 stage unbeaten with the win, while the defeat left New Zealand’s semi-final destiny hanging by a thread and no longer entirely in their own hands.
For Pakistan, the equation is now clear. Salman Agha’s men will have everything to play for when they take on Sri Lanka in their final Super 8 fixture on Saturday, February 28, at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. A strong performance could propel them into the semifinals, but net run rate could yet prove decisive.
For Pakistan to qualify, they must either win by 65 runs or more, or chase down the target in approximately 13 overs to secure the required net run rate advantage. New Zealand, meanwhile, are left watching and waiting, hoping Pakistan stumble and fail to overhaul them on net run rate. The race to the last four has come down to fine margins, and high drama.
ENGLAND ATTACK WITH SPIN
It was no surprise that New Zealand chose to bat first, given how difficult chasing has been in Colombo. Jofra Archer made a superb start, bowling a maiden over, while Tim Seifert survived an early caught-behind appeal. After a cautious beginning, Seifert and Finn Allen shifted gears, playing their shots fluently to guide New Zealand to 54 in the powerplay without losing a wicket.
England responded strongly, striking twice in quick succession. Adil Rashid provided the breakthrough by dismissing Seifert for 35 off 25 balls, and Will Jacks removed the dangerous Allen, who had looked threatening during his 29 off 19. From that point, England leaned heavily on spin, with their pacers bowling just four overs in total, a tactical decision that reflected the significant assistance the pitch offered to the spinners.
Following the dismissals of Seifert and Allen, Rachin Ravindra was unable to make an impact. Glenn Phillips, batting at No. 4, held one end up with a brisk 39 off 28 balls, including four boundaries and a six. During his stay, Mark Chapman and Cole McConchie contributed useful knocks of 15 and 14 respectively, keeping the scoreboard moving.
Mitchell Santner ensured New Zealand finished strongly, striking a six off Rehan Ahmed in the last ball of the innings. For England, Rashid, Jacks and Rehan claimed two wickets each, while Liam Dawson picked up the wicket of Daryl Mitchell. Sam Curran had an off-day after he leaked 10 runs in the only over he bowled.
NEW ZEALAND JOLT ENGLAND EARLY
New Zealand made a dream start when Matt Henry removed the dangerous Phil Salt early on. Henry had even more reason to celebrate, as he is set to return home for the birth of his second child. England’s troubles deepened when Jos Buttler’s lean patch continued; he fell without scoring to Lockie Ferguson. It was the fifth consecutive match in which Buttler was dismissed for a single-digit score, underlining his prolonged slump in form.
With both openers back in the pavilion, Harry Brook and Jacob Bethell steadied the innings, guiding England to 47 in the powerplay and restoring some momentum. Fresh from his century against Pakistan, Brook once again looked in ominous touch at No.3, striking an audacious six over square leg off Henry. Just as he appeared ready to accelerate, Glenn Phillips had him caught at long-on for 26.
Rachin Ravindra, who had impressed with the ball against Sri Lanka, struck another crucial blow by dismissing Bethell for a brisk 21 off 16. However, much of the credit went to Phillips, who pulled off a superb low catch with a full-length dive inches from the turf.
REHAN, JACKS TAKE ENGLAND HOME
At the halfway stage, with England still requiring 96 runs, New Zealand held a slight edge. Tom Banton and Sam Curran began to tilt the balance back, adding 42 runs before Ravindra broke the partnership by removing Curran.
Chasing 59 off the final five overs, England needed something special. Ravindra delivered another decisive strike by dismissing Banton for 33, finishing with outstanding figures of 4-0-19-3. With 43 needed from 18 balls, however, England refused to back down.
In the 18th over, Rehan Ahmed and Will Jacks launched a counterattack, plundering 22 runs to swing the momentum. The equation narrowed to 21 off 12 balls, keeping the contest finely poised. Rehan then took on Mitchell Santner in the 19th over, smashing a four and a six to gather 16 runs and reduce the target to just five off the final over.
Will Jacks sealed the deal by striking Henry for a boundary, guiding England home. Jacks remained unbeaten on 32 off 18 balls, while Rehan’s explosive 19 off seven capped an unbroken 44-run partnership that carried England across the line.
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