In a thrilling Super 8 clash of the T20 World Cup 2026 in Colombo, England pulled off a stunning 4-wicket victory over New Zealand on Friday. Chasing a challenging 160, the English side crossed the line with three balls to spare, losing six wickets in the process. The match swung dramatically in the final overs thanks to Will Jacks’ explosive batting that flipped a losing cause into triumph.
England’s chase got off to a rocky start. Phil Salt departed for just 2 runs, caught off Matt Henry’s bowling. Captain Jos Buttler, struggling with form, followed suit without troubling the scorers. With two quick wickets down, Harry Brook and Jacob Bethell steadied the innings, adding 48 runs for the third wicket. Brook scored 26 off 24 balls before falling, while Bethell made 21 with four boundaries.
At 58 for 4, Sam Curran and Tom Banton fought back with a 42-run stand for the fifth wicket. Curran contributed 24 off 22, and Banton smashed 33 off fewer balls, including three fours and a six. But at 117 for 6, victory seemed distant until Jacks and Rehan Ahmed forged an unbroken 44-run partnership off just 16 balls.
Jacks remained not out on 32 from 18 deliveries, exploding in the 18th over against Glenn Phillips for 22 runs—a game-changer. Ahmed chipped in with 19 off 7 balls to seal the win. New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra was the standout bowler with 3 for 19, supported by Henry and Phillips with one wicket each.
Earlier, New Zealand batted first after winning the toss, posting 159 for 7. Tim Seifert and Finn Allen provided a blistering start, racing to 64 in 6.6 overs for the first wicket. Seifert made 35 off 25 with three fours and two sixes, Allen 29 off 19. Rachin Ravindra managed only 11.
Glenn Phillips top-scored with 39 off 28, featuring four fours and a six. Daryl Mitchell scored 3, Mark Chapman 15, and skipper Mitchell Santner was unbeaten on 9. England’s Adil Rashid claimed 2 for 28, while Jacks and Rehan Ahmed took two wickets apiece.
This loss dents New Zealand’s semifinal hopes. They now pray for Sri Lanka to upset Pakistan on Saturday.