England win over New Zealand keeps Pakistan T20 World Cup hopes alive
Cricket
England beat New Zealand in Colombo, keeping Pakistan’s T20 World Cup semi-final hopes alive.
COLOMBO (Dunya News) – England on Friday completed a thrilling chase of 160 against New Zealand in a Super Eight Group 2 match at R. Premadasa Stadium, keeping Pakistan’s T20 World Cup semi-final hopes alive.
The defending champions reached 161 for six in 19.3 overs after New Zealand posted 159 for seven. With Pakistan needing a favourable result in their final Super Eight game, the England victory has added tension and drama to the semi-final race.
Batting first, New Zealand posted a competitive 159 for seven. Glenn Phillips anchored the innings with a brisk 39 off 28 balls, while openers Tim Seifert and Finn Allen provided early momentum with scores of 35 and 29 respectively. Rachin Ravindra made 11, Mark Chapman 15, and Daryl Mitchell was dismissed cheaply for three, while captain Mitchell Santner contributed nine as England’s bowlers controlled the innings.
For England, Adil Rashid, Will Jacks, and Rehan Ahmed each claimed two wickets, ensuring New Zealand did not surpass 160.
England’s chase
England’s reply began shakily with Phil Salt dismissed for two and Jos Buttler falling for a two-ball duck. Harry Brook steadied the innings with 26 off 24 balls, while Bethell added 21. Tom Banton played a fluent 33 from 24 deliveries to keep the chase on track.
Sam Curran contributed 24, but it was the unbeaten partnership of Will Jacks (32*) and Rehan Ahmed (19*) that sealed the win, as England reached 161 for six in 19.3 overs.
A hero with bat and ball for England against New Zealand, Will Jacks wins the @aramco POTM
— ICC (@ICC) February 27, 2026
: https://t.co/SPOfO9xhOb pic.twitter.com/n2xGwRi7hm
Extras contributed four runs to the total.
Pakistan equation
The result keeps Pakistan mathematically alive for a semi-final spot. New Zealand, with three points from two games, needed just one more point to secure progression, while Pakistan currently have one point from two matches.
Pakistan will face Sri Lanka in their final Super Eight fixture, and their advancement will depend on net run rate comparisons if England defeat New Zealand, as they did in Colombo.
