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England, led by Will Jacks and Rehan Ahmed, pulled off a dramatic four-wicket win over Recent Zealand within the T20 World Cup, keeping Pakistan’s semifinal hopes alive.
England had already qualified but still put up a sensational no-nonsense performance.
(AP)
England, driven by Will Jacks and Rehan Ahmed’s explosive performances, staged a remarkable comeback to secure a four-wicket victory over Recent Zealand of their T20 World Cup Super Eights match on Friday.
This result has kept Pakistan’s semifinal hopes alive, they usually aim to win against Sri Lanka on Saturday, with net run rate considerations coming into play. England, having already secured a semifinal spot before this win, topped Group 2 with three victories from three matches.
Opting to bowl first, England’s spinners effectively restricted a struggling Recent Zealand to 159 for seven.
In response, England found themselves in trouble at 117 for six after 17 overs, needing 43 runs from 18 balls. Nevertheless, Jacks (32 not out off 18 balls) and Rehan Ahmed (19 not out off 7 balls) smashed Glenn Phillips for 22 runs within the 18th over, reducing the goal to 21 from 12 balls.
Jacks and Ahmed then took 16 runs off Mitchell Santner, putting England in a commanding position for the ultimate over. England accomplished the chase with three balls to spare.
Earlier, Jacks (2/23), Adil Rashid (2/28), and Rehan Ahmed (2/28) had stifled Recent Zealand’s batters after their pacers had been hit around.
For Recent Zealand, Glenn Phillips (39 off 28 balls), Tim Seifert (35 off 25 balls), and Finn Allen (29 off 19 balls) were the major contributors with the bat.
England’s chase began poorly, with each Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson striking of their first overs to cut back them to 2/2.
Fresh from his century against Pakistan, skipper Harry Brook (26 off 24 balls) tried to stabilise the innings but was dismissed by Glenn Phillips while attempting to hit against the turn.
Phillips also made a major contribution by taking a surprising catch at deep mid-wicket to dismiss Jacob Bethell (21 off 16 balls). Phillips dived forward to catch the ball just inches off the bottom.
At 58 for 4 within the ninth over, England were in trouble, but Tom Banton and Sam Curran kept them in the sport, despite Recent Zealand using their spinners from each ends.
Nevertheless, after adding 42 runs for the fifth wicket, Recent Zealand made a breakthrough with Rachin Ravindra dismissing each Curran and Banton, putting them ahead.
But Jacks and Ahmed had other plans.
Earlier in the sport, Jofra Archer, who had bowled brilliantly against Pakistan, began with a maiden over that included a Recent Zealand review after the umpire had adjudged Tim Seifert out caught behind. Replays showed no edge, overturning the choice.
Liam Dawson kept Seifert and Finn Allen quiet initially, though Seifert eventually swept him for a boundary. Archer bowled with great speed but was hit for a six by Finn when he attempted a slower ball.
Finn began to look dangerous, hitting one other six off Dawson. Seifert joined in, hitting Archer for 2 fours and a six.
Recent Zealand gained momentum, forcing England captain Harry Brook to bring Sam Curran into the attack. Finn greeted Curran with a six, as Recent Zealand ended the powerplay at 54 without loss.
Adil Rashid was then introduced, and Seifert hit him for a six. Nevertheless, Rashid smartly had Seifert stumped the subsequent ball with a delivery that dipped and turned.
Finn was dismissed in the subsequent over by Will Jacks, giving an easy catch to Jacob Bethell at deep mid-wicket. Phillips tried to stabilise the innings but was bowled by Jacks, disrupting Recent Zealand’s momentum.
February 27, 2026, 23:05 IST
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