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England got the better of New Zealand by four wickets in their last Super 8 clash which has kept Pakistan's hopes of qualifying for the T20 World Cup 2026 semifinals alive. The unexpected hero of the match was Pakistan-origin all-rounder Rehan Ahmed, whose impactful performance with both bat and ball provided a major sigh of relief for the supporters hoping to see Pakistan advance.
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England's win over New Zealand, a blessing in disguise for Pakistan
Making his debut in this critical Super 8 encounter, Ahmed immediately made his mark with the ball, taking two wickets for 28 runs in his three overs. However, it was his explosive batting under pressure that truly defined the match. Coming in at a crucial stage, Ahmed played a blistering innings at a strike rate of nearly 300, turning the tide in England's favor.
Complementing Ahmed's efforts was teammate Will Jacks, who also played a pivotal role in England's success. Jacks contributed significantly by taking two wickets with the ball and later scoring a rapid 28 runs off just 17 balls. Fittingly, Jacks sealed the victory by scoring the winning runs, ensuring England topped the group and inadvertently paving a potential path for Pakistan to reach the knockout stages.
Earlier, New Zealand initiated their critical Super 8 match against England with a strong start after winning the toss and electing to bat, capitalising on the powerplay to reach 53-0 within the first six overs. However, the dynamics of the game shifted dramatically when England captain Harry Brook opted for a aggressive spin-heavy strategy, utilising five slow bowlers on a turning pitch. This approach proved highly effective, allowing England to regain control and stifle the New Zealand batting lineup.
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The tactical gamble paid off, as England’s spinners dominated the middle overs. Will Jacks recorded the best figures for his side, finishing with 2-23, while veteran Adil Rashid claimed 2-28, bringing his tournament tally to 11 wickets and establishing him as England's leading wicket-taker. Making his T20 World Cup debut, Rehan Ahmed made an immediate impact by taking a wicket with his very first ball, ultimately ending with impressive figures of 2-28 from his three overs.
Despite the spin onslaught, Glenn Phillips provided resistance for New Zealand, top-scoring with 39 off 28 balls, which included four fours and a six, following a solid 35 from opener Tim Seifert. England's spin-focused attack was completed by Liam Dawson, who took 1-32, and Jacob Bethell, who conceded just 13 runs in his spell.
All eyes on PAK vs SL clash
Now all eyes will be on Pakistan versus Sri Lanka's clash on February 28. Notably, for Pakistan to qualify for the semifinals, simply winning their final match is not enough; they must also secure a victory with a large enough margin to surpass New Zealand's superior net run rate.
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