In a nail-biting Super 8 encounter at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, England pulled off a spectacular comeback to defeat New Zealand by 4 wickets with just 3 balls to spare. The official ICC highlights video captures every pulse-pounding moment of this dramatic contest from the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
New Zealand opted to bat first after winning the toss and posted a competitive 159/7 in their 20 overs. England, chasing 160, stumbled early but staged a heroic late flourish with the bat to snatch victory in 19.3 overs. The win not only kept England unbeaten in the Super 8 stage but also dented New Zealand’s semi-final hopes while giving Pakistan a lifeline ahead of their crucial clash.
New Zealand’s Innings: Spin Dominance Keeps Kiwis in Check
The Black Caps got off to a steady start but couldn’t accelerate freely against England’s spin-heavy attack. Glenn Phillips top-scored with a gritty 39 off 28 balls, while Tim Seifert contributed 35. Captain Mitchell Santner provided the perfect finishing touch, smashing a maximum over long-on to take New Zealand to 159/7.
England’s spinners were the stars with the ball. Will Jacks, Adil Rashid, Rehan Ahmed (making his World Cup debut), and Liam Dawson bowled 16 overs of spin between them — a first in T20I history for England — and shared all seven wickets. Jacks and Ahmed picked up two each, while Rashid and Dawson kept things tight. The highlights reel perfectly showcases the pressure created by these spinners and the brilliant catches that broke key partnerships.
England’s Chase: From Collapse to Chaos
England’s top order collapsed dramatically, slumping to 2/2 early (with Jos Buttler out for a duck) and later 117/6 in the 17th over, needing 43 runs off the last 18 balls. At that stage, New Zealand were heavy favourites — commentators even pegged them at 80% to win.
Then came the miracle.
Will Jacks (32* off 18 balls) and Rehan Ahmed (19* off just 7 balls) joined forces for an unbeaten 44-run partnership off only 16 deliveries. The duo unleashed a barrage of boundaries, including powerful heaves to the leg side and a remarkable scoop shot that lit up the stadium. Rehan smashed two sixes and a four in his explosive cameo, while Jacks stayed calm and finished the game with a boundary in the 19.3rd over.
The ICC highlights video beautifully captures this late surge — the crowd roaring, the tension in the dugouts, and the sheer joy as England crossed the line with three balls and four wickets in hand.
Star Performances
- Will Jacks (Player of the Match): 32* off 18 + 2/23 with the ball. A complete all-round masterclass and his fourth POTM of the tournament.
- Rehan Ahmed: Dream World Cup debut — 2 wickets and a match-winning 19* off 7.
- Glenn Phillips: NZ’s top scorer with 39.
- Mitchell Santner: Captain’s knock with the finishing six.
Tournament Implications
England topped Super 8 Group 2 with three wins out of three and have already qualified for the semi-finals. New Zealand’s defeat makes their path to the last four much tougher. Meanwhile, Pakistan remain in contention and must now beat Sri Lanka in their final group game while hoping for a favourable net run-rate swing.
Why This Match Will Be Remembered
This wasn’t just another T20 thriller — it was a classic example of why T20 cricket is the ultimate rollercoaster. One moment New Zealand looked in total control; the next, two young English stars turned the game on its head with fearless batting under extreme pressure.
England are marching on as one of the favourites, while New Zealand will need to regroup quickly. Cricket at its absolute best — don’t miss the highlights!
Video Source: YouTube
