Colombo witnessed edge-of-the-seat drama in the T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 stage as England edged out New Zealand by 4 wickets. The Kiwis set 160, but Will Jacks and Rehan Ahmed’s late fireworks ensured England won with balls remaining, despite slumping to 117 for 6.
Openers Phil Salt (2) and Jos Buttler (0) fell cheaply to Matt Henry, leaving England in tatters. Harry Brook (26 off 24) and Jacob Bethell (21 off boundaries) rebuilt with 48 runs. Then Sam Curran (24 off 22) and Tom Banton (33 with flair) added 42, but wickets kept tumbling.
Enter the heroes: Jacks’ unbeaten 32 off 18 balls, including a brutal 22-run 18th over off Glenn Phillips, shifted momentum. Paired with Ahmed’s 19 off 7, they added 44 unbeaten runs in 16 balls for a famous chase.
New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra shone with 3-19, Henry and Phillips grabbing one each. Batting first, NZ reached 159/7. Seifert (35, 3×4, 2×6) and Allen (29 off 19) blasted 64 in overs. Phillips’ 39 (4×4, 1×6) was key, Santner 9*.
England’s bowlers struck back: Adil Rashid 2/28, Jacks 2/23, Rehan 2 wickets. New Zealand’s semifinal path now hinges on Sri Lanka beating Pakistan tomorrow—a slim hope after this heartbreak.