England won an important four-wicket victory over New Zealand In the Super 8 Group 2 encounter ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 At R.Premadasa Stadium, Khettarama. In a tightly contested contest, England chased down 160 in 19.3 overs and overcame the early blows to claim two valuable points. England’s win also helped keep Pakistan’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the multi-team event alive.
A solid start for New Zealand
After winning the toss, New Zealand chose to bat first and started aggressively. Tim Seifert looked fluent, hitting 35 off 25 balls with three fours and two sixes. Find Allen he completed 29 off 29 off 19 deliveries, smashing three sixes during the power play. The opening pair ensured New Zealand got off to a promising start.
However, England’s bowlers pulled back in the middle. Racine Ravindra struggled to accelerate and dropped to 11th Daryl Mitchell managed just 3 runs. Glenn Phillips He spent the innings along with a well composed 39 off 28 balls, four boundaries and a striking six. Mark Chapman He added a quick 15 from 9 and late contributions from Mitchell Santner and Cole McConchie pushed New Zealand to 159 for 7 in 20 overs.
England spinners hit the brakes
England’s spin trio played a key role in restricting their total. Adil Rashid He delivered an impressive spell, finishing with 2 for 28 in his four overs. Will Jacks was equally impressive, claiming 2 for 23 and breaking important partnerships. Rehan Ahmed also took two wickets while maintaining the pressure in the middle stages. Liam Dawson Chip with a wicket that ensured New Zealand were never really free after the powerplay.
Early shocks rocked England’s chase
Chasing 160, England endured a dreadful start. Phil Salt 2 and fell for the captain If Buttler immediately left the side under pressure, left for a duck. The onus then fell on the middle order to rebuild.
Harry Brooke He stabilized the innings with 26 off 24 balls Jacob Bethell Contributed to 21 off 16 deliveries, four boundaries. Tom Banton added a valuable 33 off 24 balls to keep England in the hunt as the required rate rose.
Jacks and Rehan Ahmed will seal the deal
New Zealand spinner Racine Ravindra He produced a magnificent spell of 3 for 19, briefly swinging the momentum in his team’s favour. Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry also claimed every wicket, securing the title of the competition into the final overs. However, Jacks hit four fours and a six at the crucial juncture as he converted 32 off 18 balls in a decisive knock. With the equations narrowing, Ahmed made it to the finish, hitting 19 off just 7 balls, including two huge sixes that sealed the game.
England eventually reached 161 for 6 in 19.3 overs and completed a tense chase with four wickets in hand. The win boosts England’s Super 8 campaign, while New Zealand are left to reflect on missed opportunities in a match that was delicately balanced until the end.
Here’s how the fans reacted:
England won a thrilling victory over New Zealand 💪#T20WorldCup2026 #ENGvsNZ
Account card 👉 https://t.co/QlnBI0A4Tr #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/Cby5ZYwUI0— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) February 27, 2026
Will Jacks, the hero with bat and ball for England against New Zealand, wins @aramco POTM 🏅 pic.twitter.com/SQwRzorKbS
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) February 27, 2026
Man of the Match Awards in T20 World Cup edition:
Will Jacks – 4* in 2026.
Shane Watson – 4 in 2012. pic.twitter.com/q6fydGSZPC
— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) February 27, 2026
4th Man of the Match Award for Will Jacks in T20 WORLD CUP 2026.
The player of the tournament award is coming for you 🥁😎 pic.twitter.com/M4k1nTHWUz
— Mumbai Indians FC (@MIPaltanFamily) February 27, 2026
Playing Will Jacks at number 7 has been a masterstroke throughout the tournament. We never expected him to have such finishing skills with the bat pic.twitter.com/E34WDrzYqV
— Gaz (@crictologist) February 27, 2026
Will Jacks great performance again.. Rehan too 😍😍
— Azeem Rafiq (@AzeemRafiq30) February 27, 2026
Will Jacks has 4 man of the match awards…Watson 2012 esque tournament for him
— JSK (@imjsk27) February 27, 2026
It’s Will Jacks winter 🥶🔥
2/23 with the ball and a vital 32 not out in the end to lead England to a remarkable four-wicket win over New Zealand 👏
England completed the Super Eight on 3/3 📈
🤎 | #SurreyCricket pic.twitter.com/OmlTYayrjM
— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) February 27, 2026
Will Jacks ne to kamal kar diya 10 match se 4 main Man OF The Match. 🤯
Will Jacks – 4* (10 matches).
Kevin Pietersen – 3 (15).
Luke Wright – 3 (22).
England team se sab se jada Man OF The Match banane vale player bane crazy.👀 pic.twitter.com/a8CKiZBFse
— Abhishek Vision (@AbhishekVisionX) February 27, 2026
Wow shots by Rehan Ahmed. And of course, where there’s Will (Jacks), there’s always a Way. The best English player in this World Cup. #EngvNZ
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 27, 2026
It wasn’t long ago that Will Jacks was being mocked during the Ashes. He may not be a Test spinner, but he is a bit of a cricketer. Player of the tournament so far. Definitely for England. #T20WorldCup
— Dan Ogunshakin (@DanOgunshakin) February 27, 2026
🚨 HISTORY FOR WILL JACKS 🚨
– Will Jacks now holds the Joint Most POTM Award in the T20 World Cup edition! 🫡#ENGvsNZ #ICCT20WORLDCUP pic.twitter.com/NyIaV3yWNn
— PANKAJ DAUNAWAT (@pankajmeen75939) February 27, 2026
England won
Pakistan is still alive
Need a good day with bat and ball against Sirlanka
See you in the semi-finals! 🇵🇰🔥 pic.twitter.com/atl819j5k8
— Humais Khan (@Humireacts) February 27, 2026
Rehan Ahmed kept Pakistan’s hopes alive. Greatest Cameo of the tournament so far. #ENGvsNZ pic.twitter.com/VEyKsi2zAo
— Shrikant (@shrikantd31) February 27, 2026
🚨 PAKISTAN STAYING ALIVE IN T20 WORLD CUP 2026. 🚨
– England beat New Zealand. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/QG4FiMZcy9
– Sherry. (@CallMeSheri1_) February 27, 2026
🚨 PAKISTAN LIVES IN T20 ECLIPSE 🚨
– Pakistan need to beat Sri Lanka by 65 runs or chase down the target in 11 overs to qualify for the 2026 T20 World Cup Semi-Finals. 🇵🇰🔥 pic.twitter.com/DfiglHqGh0
— Rayham (@RayhamUnplugged) February 27, 2026
