England registered an important four-wicket victory over New Zealand within the Tremendous 8 Group 2 conflict of the ICC Males’s T20 World Cup 2026 on the R.Premadasa Stadium, Khettarama. In a tightly fought contest, England chased down 160 in 19.3 overs, overcoming early blows to safe two worthwhile factors. England’s win has additionally helped Pakistan to maintain their hopes alive for the semi-final of the multi-team occasion.
Strong begin for New Zealand
After successful the toss, New Zealand selected to bat first and began aggressively. Tim Seifert regarded fluent on the high, scoring 35 off 25 balls with three fours and two sixes. Finn Allen complemented him with a quickfire 29 off 19 deliveries, smashing three sixes in the course of the powerplay. The opening pair ensured New Zealand acquired off to a promising begin.
Nonetheless, England’s bowlers pulled issues again within the center overs. Rachin Ravindra struggled to speed up and fell for 11, whereas Daryl Mitchell managed simply 3 runs. Glenn Phillips held the innings along with a well-compiled 39 off 28 balls, putting 4 boundaries and a six. Mark Chapman added a brisk 15 off 9, and late contributions from Mitchell Santner and Cole McConchie pushed New Zealand to 159 for 7 of their 20 overs.
England spinners apply the brakes
England’s spin trio performed a key function in limiting the full. Adil Rashid delivered an impactful spell, ending with 2 for 28 in his 4 overs. Will Jacks was equally spectacular, claiming 2 for 23 and breaking vital partnerships. Rehan Ahmed additionally picked up two wickets, sustaining strain within the center part. Liam Dawson chipped in with one wicket, guaranteeing New Zealand by no means really broke free after the powerplay.
Early jolts rock England’s chase
Chasing 160, England endured a nightmare begin. Phil Salt fell for two, and captain Jos Buttler departed for a duck, leaving the aspect below instant strain. The duty then fell on the center order to rebuild.
Harry Brook steadied the innings with 26 off 24 balls, whereas Jacob Bethell contributed 21 off 16 deliveries, putting 4 boundaries. Tom Banton added a worthwhile 33 off 24 balls, protecting England within the hunt because the required fee crept up.
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Will Jacks and Rehan Ahmed seal the deal
New Zealand spinner Rachin Ravindra produced an outstanding spell of three for 19, briefly swinging momentum again in his crew’s favor. Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry additionally claimed a wicket every, tightening the competition heading into the ultimate overs. Nonetheless, Jacks turned the tide with a decisive knock of 32 off 18 balls, smashing 4 fours and a six at an important juncture. With the equation narrowing, Ahmed offered the ending flourish, scoring 19 off simply 7 balls, together with two large sixes that sealed the sport.
England finally reached 161 for six in 19.3 overs, finishing a tense chase with 4 wickets in hand. The win strengthens England’s marketing campaign within the Tremendous 8 stage, whereas New Zealand are left to mirror on missed alternatives in a match that remained finely balanced till the very finish.
Right here’s how followers reacted:
England bag an exhilarating win over New Zealand 💪#T20WorldCup2026 #ENGvsNZ Scorecard 👉 https://t.co/QlnBI0A4Tr #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/Cby5ZYwUI0
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) February 27, 2026
A hero with bat and ball for England towards New Zealand, Will Jacks wins the @aramco POTM 🏅 pic.twitter.com/SQwRzorKbS
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) February 27, 2026
Most Participant of the Match Awards in a T20 World Cup version:
Will Jacks – 4* in 2026.
Shane Watson – 4 in 2012. pic.twitter.com/q6fydGSZPC
— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) February 27, 2026
4th Man of the Match Award for Will Jacks in T20 WORLD CUP 2026.
Participant of the event award we’re coming for you 🥁😎 pic.twitter.com/M4k1nTHWUz
— Mumbai Indians FC (@MIPaltanFamily) February 27, 2026
Enjoying Will Jacks at no.7 is popping out to be a masterstroke all through the event. We by no means had been anticipating him to have these kind of ending abilities with the bat pic.twitter.com/E34WDrzYqV
— Gaz (@crictologist) February 27, 2026
Will Jacks once more excellent efficiency.. Rehan too 😍😍
— Azeem Rafiq (@AzeemRafiq30) February 27, 2026
Will Jacks has 4 participant of the match awards…. Watson 2012 esque event for him
— JSK (@imjsk27) February 27, 2026
It’s a Will Jacks winter 🥶🔥
2/23 with the ball and an important 32 not out on the finish to take England to a exceptional four-wicket victory over New Zealand 👏
England end 3/3 within the Tremendous Eights 📈
🤎 | #SurreyCricket pic.twitter.com/OmlTYayrjM
— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) February 27, 2026
Will Jacks ne to kamal kar diya 10 match se 4 fundamental Man OF The Match. 🤯
Will Jacks – 4* (10 matches).
Kevin Pieterson – 3 (15).
Luke Wright – 3 (22).
England crew se sab se jada Man OF The Match banane vale participant bane loopy.👀 pic.twitter.com/a8CKiZBFse
— Abhishek Imaginative and prescient (@AbhishekVisionX) February 27, 2026
Wow innings by Rehan Ahmad. And naturally, the place there’s Will (Jacks), there’s at all times a Approach. One of the best English participant on this World Cup. #EngvNZ
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 27, 2026
Wasn’t that way back that Will Jacks was being derided in the course of the Ashes. He may not be a take a look at spinner however he is some cricketer. Participant of the event to date. Definitely for England. #T20WorldCup
— Dan Ogunshakin (@DanOgunshakin) February 27, 2026
🚨 HISTORY FOR WILL JACKS 🚨
– Will Jacks now has Joint Most POTM Awards in an T20 World Cup version! 🫡#ENGvsNZ #ICCT20WORLDCUP pic.twitter.com/NyIaV3yWNn
— PANKAJ DAUNAWAT (@pankajmeen75939) February 27, 2026
England wins ✅,
Pakistan nonetheless alive ✅
Want one good day with bat and ball towards sirlanka
see you within the semis! 🇵🇰🔥 pic.twitter.com/atl819j5k8
— Humais khan (@Humireacts) February 27, 2026
Rehan Ahmed stored Pakistan’s hopes alive. Nice Cameo of the event to date. #ENGvsNZ pic.twitter.com/VEyKsi2zAo
— Shrikant (@shrikantd31) February 27, 2026
🚨 PAKISTAN STAYS ALIVE IN THE T20 WORLD CUP 2026. 🚨
– England beat New Zealand. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/QG4FiMZcy9
— Sheri. (@CallMeSheri1_) February 27, 2026
🚨 PAKISTAN ALIVE IN THE T20 WC 🚨
– Pakistan must beat Sri Lanka by 65 runs or chase the goal in 11 overs to qualify for the Semi-Finals of the T20 World Cup 2026. 🇵🇰🔥 pic.twitter.com/DfiglHqGh0
— Rayham (@RayhamUnplugged) February 27, 2026
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