England vs New Zealand, Super 8 - Match 9 Match Summary

65 runs, 12.4 overs - As per the host broadcaster, if Pakistan bat first and win by 65 runs, or chase down a target in 12.4 overs or earlier, they can get their net run rate over New Zealand's and qualify for the semis. That sets us up nicely for a spicy final clash from Group 2, involving Sri Lanka and Pakistan, in Pallekele, on Saturday, 28th February, 2026. The Lankans have got nothing to lose but will Pakistan be able to make use of this last lifeline? New Zealand can do nothing more than sit and watch and hope that they reach their fourth semifinal in the last 5 T20 World Cups. The match is scheduled to start from 1.30 pm GMT, but our buildup will begin well in advance. So do tune in early. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

Haven't played the perfect game - The victorious skipper of England, HARRY BROOK, is first asked about Rehan Ahmed's quality batting. To this, he replies saying that the team has seen a lot more from Rehan in the past, so is not surprised. He is rather surprised by the fact that he was just told by Jacks that 4 are the most number of Player-Of-The Match awards that he has won in any series ever! Says that he is glad for his player. Atherton presses on the selection of Rehan Ahmed for this game, bordering on the lines of horses for courses. Brook agrees, stating that the management had told the group that players would be selected based on the conditions. So for this match, he adds, they felt that the conditions were ripe for Rehan and he did his job. On the preparation for this clash despite having qualified for the semis early, Brook asserts that New Zealand are a very strong side. Adds that England had played them before Christmas and knew how strong they were. Details that be it running between the wickets, or power batting and likewise with the bowling, there is really nothing that can call the Kiwis as a weak unit. Atherton now presses on the hot topic in the UK - still staying true to Jos Buttler? To this, Harry gives a definitive reply. He clearly states that there's been a lot said about Buttler. So Brook just wants to remind all of Buttler's doubters that he (Jos) has played over 150 games, so he knows a lot more than any of us (the team and the critics). So Brook just requests everyone to step back for a bit and let Buttler be. Goes onto say that he has no doubt that for someone who strikes regularly at 144-145 in over 150 games, Buttler will bounce back. On employing Will Jacks as a finisher despite him primarily playing in the top order in his career, HB says that Jacks is just a proper batter. Reminds us of one instance - England were playing against West Indies and Jacks just came out and played his first ball for a couple or something. Now, Brook adds that usually, in the death overs, a lot of batters just come out swinging but Jacks' first shot showed that he was not perturbed and relied on skill rather than power hitting. Athers then asks the final question regarding whom would England prefer in the semis - West Indies or India - to this, the skipper replies that they are not bothered. Stresses that England will just go out there and come out swinging. Goes onto add that if it is West Indies, England have played them at the Wankhede earlier in this tournament and have also played India over there in a bilateral series earlier as well. Calls both as strong teams. Ends by saying that England haven't played the perfect game. Details that they are not quite having the starts with either bat or ball but asserts that they have managed to get over the line. And that, as per Harry Brook, works perfectly fine in World Cups. Now, he closes, it is about those finishing touches towards the end.

It was a good match - These are the words of New Zealand's captain, MITCHELL SANTNER. Admires the way England paced their chase and the way they finished, calling it pretty good batting. Mike Atherton now asks whether the nature of this defeat comes as a bit of a relief for the Kiwis, as a bigger loss could have made things easier for Pakistan. To this, Santner replies saying that New Zealand would have made their lives easier had they won. States that if you look back at the game, there were moments in which they could have done better. On being asked to detail those moments, Santner replies saying that the Kiwis had set a target in the last 5 overs with the bat. But adds that they lost their way there and got to only 160 (actually 159) which could have been 170. Then, he adds, in the last 3 overs, England needed 40-odd, but managed to pull it off. States that they took on the offie and the tactic changed the game. Atherton then compares New Zealand's 2 matches at this venue, but with different performances altogether. To this, Mitchell explains that in the other innings (against Sri Lanka), the Black Caps lost wickets throughout but managed to fight back with 4 wickets left. So, in this match, they decided to keep wickets in hand and then try to hit big in the last phase. Goes onto praise Rehan Ahmed for showing his class with the bat. Details that Rehan is a very good player of spin and knew the wicket well. Further dissects the English performance stating that it was actually set up by Tom Banton and Sam Curran but was finished nicely by Jacks and Rehan. Wow. Seems like Mitch has got his career sorted in commentary post retirement from cricket. Athers asks the last question to Santner, regarding whether they would be watching the SL-Pak clash. To this, MS replies that the Kiwis would definitely be watching the game.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH - For his swashbuckling unbeaten 32 (18) and also picking up 2 wickets with the ball, WILL JACKS has been adjudged the PLAYER OF THE MATCH. This is his 4th Player-Of-The Match award in this tournament and on being asked as to which was his best performance, Jacks ranks this as the best, stating that when he went out to bat, the game was on a knife's edge. Adds that it was all about maintaining composure. On being asked as to how did he manage to achieve what he just said, Jacks replies that it was just about keeping it simple. Praises Rehan Ahmed for coming out and taking the attack to Glenn Phillips. Stresses that everyone who came out to bat had struggled on this pitch. Adds further that they understood the pitch from their bowling innings, on how to use the deck and the outfield. The next question asked is targetting that 18th over by Phillips. Will answers saying that during the second Drinks Break, the batters had a chat about needing to take the risk and with the off spinner coming, the then batters felt that it would be a good matchup. Admits that they struggled to get the boundaries, but is happy with the fact that they managed to pick up a few twos. On his own consistency, WJ says that he feels pretty calm and reckons that being calm is very vital in tough situations. Ends by saying that England are going into the semifinals now, with three decent wins over three big oppositions (Sri Lanka, Pakistan and New Zealand), so, are confident.

... THE PRESENTATION ...

Finding a way to win! Could have lost to Nepal, but didn't. Got hammered by West Indies. Just about scraped past Pakistan. Came back from the dead in this one. It has been a pretty weird World Cup for England, but as far as skipper Harry Brook is concerned, he will not bother one bit. The good thing is that despite not playing their best cricket, they have topped their group and landed themselves a semifinal spot. Much of it goes to the mindset. Be it coming back into the game with the opposition at 116/3 after 13 overs, or roaring back into the opponent's face with 43 needed in the last 3 overs. After being asked to bowl first, England's spinners got them back into the game but then, it was the intent of the batters which probably kept the game honest. They had two collapses, but managed to string three partnerships of substance. On the contrary, New Zealand, despite a good platform set down by the top and middle order, could not capitalize at the death. They had two decent stands and roughly two collapses - but the second one - from 123/3 to 152/7 - ended up being too much to digest for the Kiwis. Please stay tuned for the presentation.

Excellent bowling display - Irrespective of the loss, the Kiwis should be proud of the way they bowled. For nearly 85 percent of the chase, they had the game in control but unfortunately for them, they let the match slip in the closing stages. Matt Henry would be leaving for home on paternal duties but skipper Santner has stressed that he should be back for the semis, if the Kiwis qualify. Wow. Nice confidence. Henry was the one who set the tone while Ferguson rolled back the years with a fiery opening spell. After that, the spinners took over, with the real surprise coming in the form of a 3-fer through part-timer Rachin Ravindra. But probably, what hurt the Kiwis the most was skipper Santner going wicketless. He usually does a good holding job but picks up wickets as well. Considering that they were just a wicket away from the win, that last column of his hurt his side.

2 bad overs - That was all. Those 11 balls, rather, from 17.2 to 18.6. New Zealand were probably just 6 good balls away from confirming their semifinal spot. But they did not come when needed. At the innings break, England did have the momentum, having conceded just 43 runs in the last 7 overs, picking up 4 wickets. But then, in the run chase, got off to a horror start, losing both their openers inside 8 balls. They continued to struggle with the middle order unable to dominate, although the batters got some kind of a start, unable to soldier on. At the end of the 17th over, with 43 runs needed from 18 balls, the writing seemed to be on the wall, but the unlikely pair of Will Jacks and Rehan Ahmed turned the game on its head. First, Glenn Phillips was taken apart in the 18th over, going for 22 runs and then, skipper Mitchell Santner was targeted for 16 in the next, hitting the Kiwis right below the belt.

Phew! Pakistan heave a sigh of relief. Their bags were almost completely packed when Rachin Ravindra finished his game in the 17th over. But suddenly, the wind changed and the Asian giants get a lifeline, albeit a pretty small one at that. England would be very happy as they managed to win yet another game from a losing position, confirming their semifinal match in Mumbai, at the Wankhede, eagerly waiting their opponent.

FOUR! A boundary will be more than enough for England as they have crossed the line with a smile on their faces. Henry bowls his third consecutive bouncer on middle. Will Jacks rocks back and pulls it late but through the short fine leg region for four runs. ENGLAND BEAT NEW ZEALAND BY 4 WICKETS!

Another bouncer, on middle. Rehan Ahmed skips down the track and hammers it down to deep mid-wicket for another single. 3 required off 4 balls!

Matt Henry scoots from over the wicket and bangs a bouncer, on off, Will Jacks pulls it to deep mid-wicket and gets a single. New Zealand desparetely need a wicket, or a dot delivery here.

20th over. New Zealand have 4 runs to defend. Can Sophie Devine bowl this over? For those who followed the Women's Premier League, will understand this joke. Matt Henry to bowl. 2-0-13-1 so far. 'A wicket first ball, has to be', says Ian Smith on air.

SIX! Rehan, O Rehan! That's what Pakistan would be singing. What a quality shot. Tossed up, outside off, Rehan Ahmed comes down the track and looks to go inside out. He is not to the pitch of the ball but still, goes through with his shot. It seems a bit mistimed but somehow, the power on the shot carries the ball way over the long off fielder! 16 from the over, 38 in the last 2!

Outside off, punched through point for a single.

This is good from England and for once, Mitchell Santner shows some emotions. He was stone-faced and motionless even when Glenn Phillips was jumping up and down on dismissing Harry Brook, but now, seems to be frustrated. Landed outside off, Will Jacks goes back and punches it past cover once again, to the left of long off. Once again, Rehan charges back for the second at the non-striker's end and Santner collects the throw and removes the bails off in disgust.

Flat and short, wide outside off, Will Jacks slaps it to the left of the long on fielder and gets a couple of runs.

Mitchell Santner drags his length back, on the sixth stump. Rehan Ahmed shuffles wide across the stumps and bunts it to cover to get a single.

FOUR! The penultimate over starts off with a boundary. The pressure is on the Kiwi skipper. Santner pitches it fuller, but way wide outside off, around the tramline. Rehan Ahmed covers the stumps and reverse sweeps it aerially, over the backward point region for four runs.

After 18 overs. England are 139/6. At the same stage, New Zealand were 142/6. Boy o boy, are we talking again? Mitchell Santner comes back on to bowl the pressure over. 3-0-13-0 so far.

FOUR MORE! 22 FROM THE OVER! How costly will this turn out to be as the match ends? Short, around middle, Will Jacks goes back and drags the pull through square leg. Lockie Ferguson at deep backward square leg charges to his left, dives but the ball just goes past his despairing dive!

FOUR! 'England need one more boundary in this over,' chirped Ian Smith on air just before this ball. And Jacks obeys him. A full toss, on middle, Jacks comes forward and hammers this past the non-striker. Long on is pretty wide and cannot get to the ball!

SIX! VIOLENCE! Tossed up, outside off, Will Jacks comes down the track, gets to the pitch of the ball and flicks it casually. But such is the power that the ball travels over the fielder at deep mid-wicket! 29 more needed from 14 balls!

Flatter and shorter, on middle, Rehan Ahmed reverse sweeps it from the inner part of his bat to backward point. Single taken.

Start on time! Ian Smith on air informs us that New Zealand have got their first official warning from the umpire, for not starting their overs on time. The penalty is having one fielder less outside the circle if enforced.

SIX! Shot of authority! Flighted, fuller, on off and middle. Rehan Ahmed charges down the track to get to the pitched area of the ball and smokes it over the long on fence for a 94-meter biggie.

Phillips pitches it outside off and turns it in. Will Jacks shuffles across the stump to heave it away, but takes a blow on his body. The ball rolls to the leg side and the batter gets a leg bye.

Glenn Phillips returns. 3-0-22-1 so far.

Outside off, fractionally short, Rehan Ahmed looks to cut but misses. A wicket and 3 runs from the over!

Into the bowlers who can bat now. Rehan Ahmed walks in next, at number 8, replacing Tom Banton. Now, this is another thing that Rehan has batted at number 3 as well.