England Spin Their Way to Thrilling Win Over New Zealand

Ahmed and Jacks lead England to T20 win

England's spin-heavy approach pays off as they defeat New Zealand by 4 wickets in T20 World Cup, Ahmed and Jacks star in chase.

“We'll probably be watching the game tomorrow...”

Rehan Ahmed and Will Jacks' explosive partnership turned the game around for England, smashing 44 off just 16 balls to secure a thrilling four-wicket win over New Zealand in Colombo's R Premadasa Stadium. This victory denied New Zealand a guaranteed semi-final spot, keeping Pakistan's hopes alive.

New Zealand opted to bat first, scoring 159-7, with Glenn Phillips top-scoring at 39. England's spinners, led by Adil Rashid and Will Jacks, restricted the Kiwis, taking crucial wickets to limit their total. England's chase got shaky, but Ahmed and Jacks' partnership steered them to victory with three balls to spare.

England was in a tight spot at 117-6, needing 43 runs from the last three overs. But Rehan Ahmed and Will Jacks turned the game around, smashing 22 runs off Glenn Phillips' 18th over. Ahmed blasted 19 off just seven balls in his T20 World Cup debut, while Jacks made an unbeaten 32 off 18 balls, guiding England to 161-6 with three balls to spare.

Ahmed's explosive batting and Jacks' steady finish propelled England to a thrilling four-wicket win over New Zealand. This victory keeps Pakistan's semi-final hopes alive, while England tops Group 2 with three wins from three matches.

Will Jacks was named player of the match for his incredible fourth time in seven T20 World Cup outings this campaign, thanks to his all-round performance against New Zealand. He took 2-23 to be England's leading bowler and smashed an unbeaten 32 off 18 balls, helping England win by four wickets. “I reckon this is the best,” Jacks said of his growing collection of player of the match awards.

Jacks expressed his excitement about the win, saying, “I'm absolutely buzzing with that, to be not out at the end in a tight finish. When I went out there, it was on a bit of a knife-edge, and I'm over the moon.”

“I'm absolutely buzzing with that, to be not out at the end in a tight finish.

“When I went out there, it was on a bit of a knife-edge, and I'm over the moon.”

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner praised Rehan Ahmed and Will Jacks' explosive partnership, saying, “Rehan showed his class with the bat in the last couple of years... The way Willy J and Rehan put those finishing touches was a good bit of batting.”

“So he wasn't really fazed on that wicket. The way Willy J and Rehan put those finishing touches was a good bit of batting,” said Santner.

England books Mumbai semi-final spot, awaits India or West Indies

Mumbai semi-final for England

Another day, ANOTHER match-winning performance from Jacksy at this World Cup! 🙌@T20WorldCup | Will Jacks pic.twitter.com/8xjhEvDJXU

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) February 27, 2026

England will move on to a semi-final in Mumbai on Thursday against either India or the West Indies, who clash on Sunday to decide the last semi-final berth.

“We're not bothered (who we play),” said England captain Harry Brook, whose side played two group matches in Mumbai, beating Nepal but losing to the West Indies.

“Whoever we're facing, they're going to be a tough opponent anyway. We've already played against the West Indies, so a little bit of experience there.

“It's nice to go back to a ground that we've already played on as well.”

New Zealand is anxiously waiting for the outcome of today's match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan in Kandy, which will determine the second semi-finalist from Super Eights Group 2. Pakistan has an inferior run rate compared to New Zealand, so they'll need to win by 65 runs or chase down the target in under 13 overs to knock the Kiwis out of the semi-finals.

“We'll probably be watching the game tomorrow,” said Santner, whose side remain favourites to go through.

England spun a web of magic in Colombo, deploying five spinners to bowl 16 overs on a turning track - a first in their T20I history. Adil Rashid led the charge, picking up 2-28 and extending his tournament-leading wicket tally to 11.

A good day at the office for Jacksy 🫡 pic.twitter.com/uLP7GJcqaF

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) February 27, 2026

This unusual spin-heavy approach paid off, as England restricted New Zealand to 159-7. 

Rehan Ahmed joined Adil Rashid in the spin department, taking a wicket with his first ball and finishing with 2-28 from three overs. Fellow spinners Liam Dawson (1-32) and Jacob Bethell (0-13) also contributed to England's spin-heavy attack.

Glenn Phillips led New Zealand's resistance, scoring 39 off 28 with four fours and a six, while opener Tim Seifert added 35.