🏏 England Hold Nerve to Beat New Zealand and Keep Pakistan Alive

England muscled their way into the semi-finals with a tense four-wicket victory over New Zealand in Colombo, chasing 160 with three balls to spare in a spin-heavy thriller that also kept Pakistan’s faint hopes alive.

Set 159 for victory, England’s chase lurched from crisis to composure. At 2 for 2 inside eight balls, with Jos Buttler falling cheaply yet again, the innings threatened to unravel. New Zealand tightened their grip when Glenn Phillips removed Harry Brook and plucked a stunning catch to leave England 58 for 4.

But Tom Banton’s brisk 33 steadied the middle overs before Will Jacks and debutant Rehan Ahmed turned the match on its head. Needing 43 from the final three overs, the pair launched a decisive assault on Phillips, taking 22 from the 18th over. Rehan struck a towering six and a fearless reverse-sweep, while Jacks powered boundaries through the leg side. Suddenly, the equation shrank to five off the final over, and Jacks sealed victory with a streaky boundary off Matt Henry.

Earlier, Phillips had top-scored with 39 in New Zealand’s 159 for 7, supported by Tim Seifert’s 35. England’s spinners dictated terms after the powerplay, with Jacks claiming two wickets and Adil Rashid applying pressure through the middle overs.

For New Zealand, defeat means their semi-final fate now hinges on Pakistan’s final group game. For England, it was a statement performance at last — resilient, bold, and delivered under pressure when it mattered most.

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