The England four-wicket T20 World Cup win in Colombo delivered high drama and reshaped the semi-final race. Rehan Ahmed and Will Jacks powered England to victory, denying New Zealand an automatic semi-final spot while keeping Pakistan’s slim hopes alive.
New Zealand, batting first in their final Super Eights match, posted 159-6. England struggled in the chase and slipped to 117-6, needing 43 runs from the final three overs.
The game changed in the 18th over when Ahmed and Jacks attacked Glenn Phillips, taking 22 runs. Ahmed struck 19 off just seven balls in his first T20 World Cup appearance.
Jacks remained unbeaten on 32 off 18 deliveries. England reached 161-6 with three balls to spare, sealing a thrilling four-wicket victory.
With the win, England advanced to a semi-final in Mumbai. Their opponent will be decided by the outcome of the India versus West Indies clash.
New Zealand, meanwhile, must now wait for the result of Sri Lanka versus Pakistan in Kandy. Pakistan require a significant win margin to surpass New Zealand’s run rate and qualify.
Earlier, England relied heavily on spin. Five spinners delivered 16 of the 20 overs on a turning pitch. Jacks returned figures of 2-23, while Adil Rashid took 2-28 and leads England’s wicket charts in the tournament.
Read: Pakistan T20 World Cup Semi-Final Chances After England Defeat
Rehan Ahmed also impressed with 2-28 from three overs, including a wicket with his first ball. For New Zealand, Glenn Phillips top-scored with 39, while Tim Seifert added 35.
The victory not only showcased England’s resilience but also ensured the semi-final race remains wide open.
