Summary of this article
New Zealand won toss, elected to bat first in Colombo
Kiwis posted 159-run total in their innings
England chased down target in 19.3 overs to finish as Group 2 toppers
England rode a scintillating seventh-wicket partnership between Will Jacks and Rehan Ahmed to complete a thrilling four-wicket win over New Zealand in their Super Eights clash of ICC T20 World Cup 2026 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Friday (February 27). The Three Lions, who had already qualified for the semi-finals and finished with a perfect Super 8s win record, thus handed Pakistan a lifeline ahead of the latter's Sri Lanka face-off in Pallekele.
Jacks stayed not out on 32 off 18 balls and Ahmed clobbered an unbeaten 7-ball 19 as the duo took England from 117 to six after 17 overs to the 160-run target with three balls to spare. Jacks, who claimed two wickets to boot, collected his fourth Player of the Match award for the all-round display.
The result left the Kiwis in uncertain territory, with regards to their semi-final qualification from Group 2. With three points and a considerably superior net run rate of 1.390, the Black Caps are in a stronger situation compared to Pakistan’s sole point from two games and a negative NRR of -0.461.
But all hope is not lost for the Men In Green, who can still qualify thanks to England's favour. Salman Agha’s men need to win by 64 runs or more against the Lankans or chase down their target in 13.1 overs or less to advance.
Earlier, New Zealand won the toss and decided to bat first against England.
ALSO READ: England Vs New Zealand Highlights
England Vs New Zealand, ICC T20 World Cup 2026: Playing XIs
England: Philip Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Harry Brook (c), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid
New Zealand: Tim Seifert (wk), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner (c), Cole McConchie, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson
England Vs New Zealand, ICC T20 World Cup 2026: Squads
England: Philip Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook (c), Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Ben Duckett, Luke Wood, Josh Tongue, Rehan Ahmed
New Zealand: Tim Seifert (wk), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner (c), Cole McConchie, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, James Neesham, Jacob Duffy, Kyle Jamieson, Devon Conway
Who won the coin toss in England vs New Zealand, Super 8 match of ICC T20 World Cup 2026?
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner won the toss and elected to bat first against England in their Super Eights game of ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
How can New Zealand qualify for semi-finals?
Despite the loss to England, New Zealand can still enter the T20 World Cup semi-finals, either if Sri Lanka beat Pakistan in Pallekele or the Men In Green win but fail to overtake the Kiwis' net run rate.
How does this match affect Pakistan's semi-final chances?
Victory for England has kept Pakistan alive in the semi-finals race, though they would need to beat Sri Lanka by at least 64 runs or chase down a target in 13.1 overs or less in their last Super Eights clash.
