Ahmed and Jacks Power England Past New Zealand in T20 World Cup Thriller

England sealed a tense four wicket victory over New Zealand in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Super Eights after a decisive late partnership between Rehan Ahmed and Will Jacks turned the contest in Colombo.

Chasing a competitive target of 160 at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, England reached 160 for six with three balls remaining, maintaining their perfect record in Group Two and confirming top spot heading into the semi finals.

New Zealand had earlier posted 159 for seven after making a confident start with the bat. Their top order built momentum in the powerplay, finding regular boundaries and rotating strike effectively on a surface that offered some grip for the spinners. However, England’s slow bowlers tightened control through the middle overs, reducing the flow of runs and preventing the Black Caps from pushing beyond the 170 mark.

England’s reply did not begin smoothly. The top order struggled to establish rhythm against disciplined New Zealand bowling. Early wickets put pressure on the middle order, and the required run rate began to climb as the innings moved toward the final five overs.

With the match hanging in the balance, Rehan Ahmed and Will Jacks shifted momentum dramatically. The pair combined for a rapid 44 run partnership that changed the tone of the chase. Their aggressive intent in the closing stages, particularly during the 18th over where 22 runs were taken, swung the pressure firmly back onto New Zealand.

Jacks targeted the shorter boundary with clean hitting, while Ahmed rotated strike smartly and punished loose deliveries. The acceleration left England needing only a handful of runs in the final over. Despite a brief moment of tension, the target was achieved with three balls to spare, sparking celebrations in the England camp.

The victory means England finished the Super Eights stage unbeaten, reinforcing their status as serious contenders for the title. As two time T20 world champions, they have demonstrated depth in both batting and bowling, with contributions coming from across the squad rather than relying on a single standout performance.

For New Zealand, the defeat leaves their semi final hopes dependent on the outcome of the match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Net run rate and other permutations could now determine whether they progress to the last four.

The contest once again highlighted the fine margins in T20 cricket, where momentum can shift rapidly in the closing overs. England’s ability to hold their nerve under pressure and execute high risk shots at crucial moments proved decisive in a tightly contested encounter.

As the tournament moves into the knockout phase, England will look to carry this momentum forward, while New Zealand must wait anxiously to see if their campaign continues beyond the Super Eights.