England win by 4 wickets! New Zealand have bottled this! They had them 2 for 2, then 58 for 4, then 117 for 6, but couldn't quite finish off the job in the end. Crucial partnerships between Banton and Curran, followed by Jacks and Ahmed, take England across the finish line. England's win also keeps Pakistan afloat ahead of their must-win game against Sri Lanka tomorrow.

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Another big over for England! They need five off the last six balls. New Zealand looked certain to progress, but England have turned the tide in the space of two overs. Santner and his men have lost the plot here in Colombo!

Huge over for England! Will Jacks takes the game to Glenn Phillips and New Zealand. Twenty-two runs come off the over, and England are right back in the chase! Every boundary is being cheered in the Pakistan camp more than in the English dressing room.
ENG: 139/6 (18)

Rachin Ravindra gets another one! It's the danger man, Banton! Again, Banton doesn't get the ideal connection and hits it straight to Chapman at deep midwicket. The fielder didn't have to move a muscle.

Tom Banton c Chapman b Ravindra 33 (24)
ENG: 117/6 (16.5)

Straight to the man at deep midwicket! Rachin Ravindra keeps delivering with the ball and gets the all-important wicket of Sam Curran, who didn't get the desired elevation. Taken comfortably by Phillips.

Sam Curran c Phillips b Ravindra 24 (22)
ENG: 100/5 (14.3)

Banton miscues, but the ball drops safely in no-man's land! He tried to heave this over the leg side but only managed a top-edge. Luckily for him, it landed just outside the ring. England survive!
ENG: 99/4 (14.1)

14 overs are now up and the game is very well balanced. Both New Zealand and England are giving their level best to clinch the victory. In the last six overs, England, who are four wickets down, need 63 runs to win. Can they do it? Only time will tell. 

ENG 97/4 (14 overs)

England are slowly bouncing back into the game as Sam Curran and Tom Banton are dealing in boundaries. This time, Glenn Phillips came at the receiving end and leaked 11 runs in the over. This included two boundaries from Banton. 

ENG 84/4 (12 overs)

Sam Curran and Tom Banton are standing like the last hopes for England as New Zealand bowlers have made their case stronger. In the previous over of Rachin Ravindra, the duo scored nine runs, which included a boundary from Sam Curran. 

ENG 73/4 (11 overs)

OUT!!! Another wicket gone for England and this time, Rachin Ravindra joins the party and removes Jacob Bethell for 21. Bethell hits it hard is search of a boundary. However, his shot gets caught by Glenn Phillips as England four down in the chase of 160. 

ENG 58/4 (8.4 overs)

OUT!!! The strong partnership between Harry Brook and Jacob Bethell finally comes to an end Glenn Phillips dismissed the former for 26. Brook hits it hard for a six but his shot goes directly into the hands of Daryl Mitchell at the long-on. Third wicket gone for England. 

ENG 50/3 (7.1 overs)

The first six overs of England's chase are up and the game is very much in the favour of the Three Lions right now. Despite losing two early wickets, England have found their way back into the game with Harry Brook and Jacob Bethell forming a good partnership. New Zealand need a wicket at this moment. 

ENG 47/2 (6 overs)

FOUR!!! Jacob Bethell hits a boundary on Mitchell Santner's delivery. Flighted delivery spinning into the LHB, but Bethell opts for the reverse and times it sweetly through point for four.  Santner concedes six runs in the over. 

ENG 34/2 (5 overs)

Despite losing two early wickets, England are back into the game as Harry Brook and Jacob Bethell are forming a good partnership. This time, Lockie Ferguson faced the heat and leaked nine runs in the over. This included a boundary from both the batters. 

ENG 28/2 (4 overs)

Finally a big sigh of relief for England as Harry Brook and Jacob Bethell start dealing in boundaries. In the previous over of Matt Henry, Brook hit a six and a boundary as the pacer conceded 11 runs. England need more of such overs to gain the momentum. 

ENG 19/2 (3 overs)

FOUR!!! Jacob Bethell hits a brilliant boundary on Lockie Ferguson's delivery. Short delivery, Bethell brings the thick edge as the ball races across the line for a four. Much-needed boundary for England. 

ENG 8/2 (2 overs)

OUT!!! What's happening here? England lose Jos Buttler for duck as Lockie Ferguson strikes for New Zealand. Short of a length delivery, Buttler tries to push off the back foot and gets an outside edge for Tim Seifert to have an easy catch. Second wicket gone for England. 

ENG 2/2 (1.2 overs)

OUT!!! Matt Henry once again strikes in the first over, just like the last game, and dismisses Phil Salt for 2. An outside off delivery, the ball touches the edge and wicketkeeper Tim Seifert makes no mistake and takes a good catch behind the stumps. First wicket gone for England. 

ENG 2/1 (0.4 overs)

Hello and welcome to England's chase of 160 against New Zealand. For England, Phil Salt and Jos Buttler have opened the proceedings. On the other hand, Matt Henry will be bowling the first over for New Zealand. 

New Zealand ended their innings at 159/7 in 20 overs against England in the T20 World Cup 2026, Super 8 match on Friday. For New Zealand, Glenn Phillips was the top-scorer with 39 runs, while Tim Seifert and Finn Allen scored 35 and 29 runs respectively. For England, Adil Rashid, Rehan Ahmed, and Will Jacks took two wicket each. England now need 160 runs to win. 

Cole McConchie and Mitchell Santner are trying to take New Zealand towards a respectable total. In the previous over of Adil Rashid, the duo scored five runs. 

NZ 147/6 (19 overs)

OUT!!! Another wicket gone for New Zealand and this time, they lose the dangerous Glenn Phillips for 39. Will Jacks traps Phillips with his spin as the ball rattles the stumps. Sixth dismissal for New Zealand as they are in deep trouble now. 

NZ 135/6 (17.1 overs)

OUT!!! Liam Dawson gets another wicket as he dismisses Daryl Mitchell for 3. Mitchell tries to go for a big hit but his shot lands into the hands of Will Jacks at the long-on. Fifth wicket gone for the Kiwis. 

NZ 133/5 (16.4 overs)

OUT!!! Adil Rashid strikes again and dismisses Mark Chapman for 15. Rashid traps Chapman with his spin as the batter goes miles out of the crease to play a shot. The ball dodges the bat and wicketkeeper Jos Buttler makes no mistake and removes the stumps on time. Fourth wicket gone for New Zealand. 

NZ 123/4 (14.1 overs)

Mark Chapman joins hands with Glenn Phillips at the crease and starts dealing in boundaries. In the previous over of Liam Dawson, Chapman hit two back-to-back fours as the spinner conceded 10 runs. Both Chapman and Phillips' partnership is a crucial one for New Zealand now. 

NZ 116/3 (13 overs)

OUT!!! Oh no, another setback for New Zealand as Rachin Ravindra becomes a prey of young Rehan Ahmed and departs for 11. Rachin hits it hard in search of a boundary but gets caught by Jacob Bethell at the deep mid-wicket. Third wicket gone for New Zealand. 

NZ 97/3 (11.1 overs)

Half of the New Zealand's innings is over as the Blackcaps are dominating the game with the bat. Despite being two wickets down, the Kiwi batters Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips are fearlessly dealing in boundaries. In the previous over of Will Jacks, the duo scored seven runs. 

NZ 84/2 (10 overs)

Despite losing two wickets in quick successions, New Zealand are still enjoying the momentum as Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips are forming a good partnership. In the previous over of Adil Rashid, the duo scored 11 runs. This included a boundary and a six from Phillips. 

NZ 77/2 (9 overs)

OUT!!! Will Jacks has given England the wicket of Finn Allen for 29. Allen tried to go for a big hit but ended up mistiming a shot. The ball then landed into the hands of Jacob Bethell at the midwicket. Second wicket gone for New Zealand. 

NZ 66/2 (7.4 overs)

OUT!!! Adil Rashid strikes on the last ball of his first over and provides England with the precious wicket of Tim Seifert for 35. Twisted by the terrific spin, Seifert stepped out to play a shot. Wicketkeeper Jos Buttler quickly collected the ball and stumped him out on time. Big wicket for England. 

NZ 64/1 (7 overs)

The first six overs of New Zealand's innings are up and the Blackcaps have managed to dominate the game against England. In the sixth over by Sam Curran, the duo of Tim Seifert and Finn Allen scored 10 runs. This included a maximum from Allen. The duo aims to continue with this partnership and take New Zealand to a good total. 

NZ 54/0 (6 overs)

WOAH!!! Tim Seifert goes crazy and this time, Jofra Archers comes at the receiving end. In the previous over of the star pacer, Seifert hit two boundaries and a maximum as Archer leaked 16 runs. England need a wicket at the earliest. 

NZ 44/0 (5 overs)

SIX!!! Finn Allen joins the party in style and hits a terrific maximum on Jofra Archer's delivery. Leg-cutter floated up in the slot and Allen lofts it over mid-on. The ball then lands straight into the crowd as New Zealand get going. 

NZ 17/0 (3 overs)

After a slow start, New Zealand finally gain the momentum in the second over as Tim Seifert hits a boundary against Liam Dawson. In total, Dawson conceded eight runs as New Zealand openers start dealing in boundaries. 

NZ 8/0 (2 overs)

What a brilliant start for England as Jofra Archer delivers a fiery maiden over. New Zealand openers Finn Allen and Tim Seifert are looking for some boundaries in the upcoming overs. 

NZ 0/0 (1 over)

The Super 8 fixture of T20 World Cup 2026 between England and New Zealand finally begins. For the Blackcaps, Finn Allen and Tim Seifert have opened the proceedings. The duo is looking for a solid opening stand, in order to provide New Zealand with some early momentum. On the other hand, Jofra Archer will be bowling the first over for England. 

Players of both the teams are out on the field for their respective national anthems. The Super 8, T20 World Cup 2026 match between England and New Zealand shall begin shortly. Stay tuned with us. 

"Same pitch as two nights ago. 75 meters down the ground, 75 meters on one side, 62 meters on the other. It looks exactly the same as it did the other night. It's so dry, lots of bare patches," Nasser Hussain and Aaron Finch.

England (Playing XI): Philip Salt, Jos Buttler(w), Harry Brook(c), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid.

New Zealand (Playing XI): Tim Seifert(w), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner(c), Cole McConchie, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson.

"Would've won the toss and batted as well. Watched the game the other night and there was spin here. They're an amazing side. If we can beat them and try and knock them out, that'll be great. I think we fielded amazing throughout the competition. There was mis-execution in the previous game. I think I'll be sticking at number three. Jamie Overton is out, Rehan Ahmed is in," said Harry Brook. 

"We're going to have a bat first. You have to win games if you want to win a WC. Nice to have a run on this wicket the other night. We know what it's going to do. Does look the same. Looked good last game and spun more than we thought. If it's flatter, have to adjust accordingly. You try and use the dimensions in your favour. Same team," said Mitchell Santner. 

New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner wins the toss, opts to bat against England in the T20 World Cup 2026, Super 8 match on Friday in Colombo. 

New Zealand pacer Matt Henry will leave for home Friday night following the team's T20 World Cup Super Eights match against England to be with his wife for the birth of their second child. Depending on the team's semi-final qualification, Henry might return to the tournament, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said. Head coach Rob Walter was supportive of Henry's departure.

A blockbuster clash awaits!
Will New Zealand win & book their place in the semi-finals? Or will England continue their dominant run in the Super 8?
ICC Men’s #T20WorldCup #ENGvNZ | Super 8 | FRI, 27 Feb | 6 PM pic.twitter.com/L2vRIF9yeX

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 27, 2026

"You're always confident going into these fixtures, especially when we know what the surface is going to be like, but I think it'd be silly to underestimate England at any point. They're obviously such a quality unit, and they've shown this in bowling, and how well they've been bowling. I mean, they've got world class batters throughout their order. So it's nothing necessarily like that," said Black Caps all-rounder Rachin Ravindra after his match-winning performance against Sri Lanka on Wednesday.

Harry Brook is in good form, as demonstrated by his match-winning hundred against Pakistan, and the team would expect veteran Jos Buttler to up his game after having a quiet tournament so far. A good start by Buttler will put England in a strong position. 

While Harry Brook and Will Jacks have both been comfortable against the likes of Saim Ayub, Mohammed Nawaz and Shadab Khan, New Zealanders Mitchell Santner, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Cole McConchie could prove to be more handy on a slightly tackier Premadasa track compared to Pallekele.

Pakistan has every reason to cheer up, as early weather reports predict little to no rain in Colombo on Friday. According to AccuWeather.com, there will be a cloud cover of 21 per cent and only four per cent of precipitation. The temperature will be around 24 degrees Celsius. 

All of Pakistan's eyes will be on the England vs New Zealand T20 World Cup Super 8 Group 2 clash in Colombo on Friday. Rain has affected several T20 World Cup matches in Sri Lanka, and Pakistan would hope nothing of that sort happens today.

Pakistan, after their defeat to England, have a net run-rate of -0.461 and would not only need New Zealand to lose badly but also have to beat Sri Lanka by a heavy margin to eclipse the Black Caps' NRR.

The match is of greater significance to the Black Caps as they bid to seal a semi-final spot while England are already through to the last four stage after logging two consecutive wins. The huge 61-run win over Sri Lanka has elevated New Zealand's net run-rate to +3.050 and to ensure that they progress, the Kiwis have to just avoid a heavy defeat.

New Zealand spinners, led by their mercurial skipper Mitchell Santner, will pose some difficult questions to an English line-up spearheaded by the marauding Harry Brook when the two sides clash in a Super Eight game. 

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the T20 World Cup 2026, Super 8 match between England and New Zealand, straight from the R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. Stay tuned for all the live updates.