England beat New Zealand to keep Pakistan's T20 World Cup hopes alive

Friday, 27 February 2026 21:41

By Reuters

Rehan Ahmed and Will Jacks' rapid 44-run partnership turned the game as England chased down a target of 160 with three balls to spare and beat New Zealand by four wickets in the Twenty20 World Cup Super Eights on Friday.

England, who had already qualified for the semi-finals, topped Group Two by winning all three games.

New Zealand must wait for the result between Pakistan and Sri Lanka to see if they advance to the last four.

The Kiwis posted 159-7 after making a strong start before England's spinners choked the run flow.

England's top order struggled and lost wickets regularly, but Ahmed and Jacks plundered 22 runs from the 18th over and sealed victory for the two-time champions with three balls to spare.

More from Sports News

Ireland beat India for first time in international cricket

Abhishek Sharma's 19-ball fifty went in vain as world champions India were surprisingly beaten by Ireland for the first time in international cricket, slumping to a 34-run defeat in the first Twenty20 in Belfast on Friday.
Usyk vacates titles before 'last dance'

Oleksandr Usyk said on Friday he had vacated his WBC, WBA and IBF heavyweight championships to pursue a final fight.
England roar back in second test against New Zealand

England roared back into contention on the second day of the third and deciding test against New Zealand with Ben Duckett's rapid century helping his side to 223-2 after three wickets for returning captain Ben Stokes helped to dismiss the visitors for 438 at a sizzling Trent Bridge.
Williams to face Australia's Joint in Wimbledon comeback

American great Serena Williams will face Australian 20-year-old Maya Joint in the first round of her eagerly awaited return to Wimbledon, a potentially tricky tie for the seven-time champion playing at the tournament for the first time since 2022.
Australia reach World Cup knockouts, Turkey beat USA

Australia booked their spot in the knockout rounds of the World Cup on Thursday after a cagey draw against Paraguay, who are set to qualify as a third-placed finisher, while Turkey beat USA 3-2, scoring the winner with virtually the last kick of the match.