Rehan Ahmed starred with bat and ball on his T20 World Cup debut as England sealed top spot in their Super 8s pool with a four-wicket win over New Zealand in Colombo, leaving the Black Caps sweating on a semi-final place.
The leg-spinning all-rounder took 2-28 as England restricted New Zealand to 159-7, then smashed an unbeaten 19 off seven balls in an unbroken seventh-wicket stand of 44 from 16 deliveries with Will Jacks (32 not out off 18) as Harry Brook’s side reached 161-6 with three balls to spare.
England needed 42 from three overs but the momentum swung when Ahmed and Jacks attacked Glenn Phillips’ 18th over for 22. Ahmed dominated Mitchell Santner’s 19th over, scoring 16, and Jacks hit the winning runs off Matt Henry midway through the 20th.
Tom Banton top-scored for England with 33 from 24. Brook, fresh off a 50-ball hundred against Pakistan, made 26 off 24, including a nonchalant flick for six off Henry that smashed an LED screen, before he was caught off Phillips. Jacob Bethell contributed 21 before Phillips took a brilliant diving catch at deep midwicket to remove him.
Jos Buttler’s struggles continued as he recorded a two-ball duck — his fifth single-figure return in a row — raising questions about his form ahead of the knockouts. Phil Salt was dismissed for 2 in the first over, adding to England’s early wobble.
Earlier, New Zealand had recovery contributions from Glenn Phillips (39 off 28) and Tim Seifert (35 off 25) after an opening surge put them on 64 inside seven overs. Seifert was stumped off Adil Rashid and Finn Allen (29 off 19) fell soon after, while Rachin Ravindra’s 11 was followed by Ahmed striking with his first ball, removing a batter.
England bowled 16 overs of spin around Jofra Archer’s three overs of pace and a single spell from Sam Curran. Will Jacks (2-23) and Adil Rashid (2-28) also picked up two wickets each, with Liam Dawson claiming 1-32.
For England’s chase, contributions from Brook, Banton, Bethell, Curran (24 off 22) and the late flourish by Jacks and Ahmed secured a fifth straight T20 international victory. Ahmed’s batting cameo included a towering six off Phillips and a reverse-swept four, trimming the target to five off the last ball of Santner’s over before the pair finished the job.
New Zealand’s semi-final hopes now hinge on Pakistan beating Sri Lanka by a sufficient margin in Pallekele to overtake them on net run rate. Despite pre-match amusement when their anthem was played at warp-speed in Kolkata, the Kiwis remain likely to feature in the first semi-final next week.
England will almost certainly play in the second semi-final in Mumbai next Thursday, most likely against India or West Indies.
Score summary — New Zealand 159-7 (20 overs; elected to bat): Glenn Phillips 39 (28), Tim Seifert 35 (25). England bowlers: Will Jacks 2-23, Adil Rashid 2-28, Rehan Ahmed 2-28, Liam Dawson 1-32.
England 161-6 (19.3 overs; target 160): Tom Banton 33 (24), Will Jacks 32* (18), Harry Brook 26 (24), Sam Curran 24 (22), Jacob Bethell 21 (16), Rehan Ahmed 19* (7). Rachin Ravindra 3-19.