England secured their place at the top of Group 2 with a four-wicket victory over New Zealand in the Super Eights stage of the T20 World Cup.
Published February 27, 2026
England moved to the top of the Super Eight group with a four-wicket win over New Zealand in the T20 World Cup, but at this stage England will be nervously awaiting their final match against Pakistan.
Sri Lanka, co-hosts of the tournament, have already been eliminated but will face Pakistan in Palekele on Saturday.
Recommended stories
list of 4 itemsend of list
For Pakistan to advance to the semi-finals along with England, they will not only have to win the match, but they will have to win by a large margin that outweighs New Zealand’s advantage in net run rate.
The victory between England and New Zealand at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Friday was led by England chasing the 2010 and 2022 champions as they defeated their opponents 159-7.
England’s chances of victory were in jeopardy as openers Phil Salt and Jos Buttler were lost early on, leaving the team 2-2 after eight balls.
New Zealand looked set to turn things around when captain Harry Brook and Jacob Bethel fell for eight runs and England won 58-4 in the ninth innings.
Will Jacks and Rehan Ahmed, aged 32 and 19, were the heroes as they brought England home with a seven-wicket partnership of 44 wins and no loss.
Prior to this, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner won the toss and chose to bat first knowing that a victory would allow New Zealand to qualify for the second semi-final from Group 2.
New Zealand, who have never won a T20 World Cup, will play the same team that comprehensively beat Sri Lanka on Wednesday, while England, who had already qualified by beating Sri Lanka and Pakistan, brought back Ahmed in place of Jamie Overton to strengthen their spin attack.
The decision could have been questioned as the Kiwis reached 64-0 in 6.5 overs. But Ahmed’s wrist-spin partner Adil Rashid stepped in, with Tim Seifert stumbling on 35 off 25 before off-spinner Will Jacks removed Finn Allen with 29 off 19.
Let’s talk about Ahmed, who picked up the wicket of Rachin Ravindra with his first ball in World Cup cricket. Glenn Phillips topped the total with 28 off 39 before becoming Jacks’ second wicket, with Rashid and Ahmed also going on to pick up two scalps.
South Africa have already qualified from Group 1. The second spot will be determined by the result of Sunday’s match between India and West Indies.
