Monday Mar 23, 2026
Monday Mar 23, 2026
Saturday, 28 February 2026 01:14 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Tim Seifert is stumped by Jos Buttler for 35
England won a tight game against New Zealand by four wickets with 3 balls to spare at the R. Premadasa Stadium yesterday to head to Mumbai for their semi-final with an unbeaten record in the Super Eights Group 2 of the T20 World Cup.
What England’s win has done is given Pakistan hope of making it to the semi-finals if they beat Sri Lanka by 64 runs or chase in 13.1 overs at Pallekele today (28), which mathematically will knock New Zealand out. South Africa and England are the two teams that have so far qualified for the semi-finals. The fourth semi-finalist will be decided from the match between India and West Indies on Sunday at Eden Gardens.
New Zealand’s total of 159-7 looked a par total when England began their chase. Matt Henry was on song when he took out Phil Salt and when the out of form Jos Buttler fell for a duck England were 2-2. Harry Brook counter-attacked and played probably the shot of the tournament - an audacious falling flick that saw the ball go soaring into the giant screen at deep backward square-leg. But he didn't kick on and fell to Glenn Phillips' first ball for 26. New Zealand kept chipping away. Tom Banton (33 off 24) and his partnership of 42 off 35 balls with Sam Curran (24 off 22) ensured that England were still in the chase. When Banton fell, New Zealand had the advantage, but the partnership of 44 off 16 balls between Player of the Match Will Jacks (32* off 18 balls) and Rehan Ahmed (19* off 7) took them over the line. Their partnership was England’s highest for the seventh wicket in the T20 World Cup. England needed 43 from the last three, with four wickets standing when Jacks and Ahmed turned the game around. Phillips bowling the 18th over went for 22 and Mitchell Santner was taken for 16 which left England needing just 5. New Zealand had them 2-2, then 58-4, then 117-6, but couldn't quite finish off the job.
Tim Seifert and Finn Allen got New Zealand off to a great start in the power play despite Seifert struggling to connect Jofra Archer's new ball burst. But England over did the pacer and both openers climbed onto him. They scored 54-0 after a maiden first over to start the game from Archer. Spin outside the power play helped England make inroads but it was spin after 14 overs that really sealed the deal. Adil Rashid got Mark Chapman first ball after the second drinks break and suddenly New Zealand lost momentum. Daryl Mitchell came in and played dots. He just couldn't put the ball away. Phillips lost his flow as well and Cole McConchie found the slog very hard as England teased him by bowling slower into the wicket although he managed a couple of fours. England bowled 16 overs of spin, the highest they have done in a T20I.
Scores
New Zealand: 159-7 (20) (Tim Seifert 35, Finn Allen 29, Glenn Phillips 39, Adil Rashid 2/28, Will Jacks 2/23, Rehan Ahmed 2/28)
England: 161-6 (19.3) (Harry Brook 26, Jacob Bethell 21, Tom Banton 33, Sam Curran 24, Will Jacks 32*, Rehan Ahmed 19*, Rachin Ravindra 3/19)
Glenn Phillips top scored for New Zealand with 39
Harry Brook tosses his glove after holing out to long-off
Rachin Ravindra as the pick of the New Zealand bowlers with 3/19
Will Jacks carried England to victory with 32* off 18 balls
