COLOMBO: England cricket team held their nerve in a tense run chase to defeat New Zealand national cricket team by four wickets in a Super Eights Group 2 clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup keeping Pakistan’s semi final hopes alive and intensifying the race for the final four.
Chasing a target of 160 England reached 160 for 6 in the final over with a composed yet aggressive approach. A decisive 44 run partnership off just 16 balls between Will Jacks and Rehan Ahmed turned the game in England’s favour. Jacks remained unbeaten on 32, while British-Pakistani spinner Rehan Ahmed contributed an unbeaten 19 in a match-winning cameo.
Earlier, New Zealand posted 159 for 6 after electing to bat. Tim Seifert scored 35 and Finn Allen added 29 to provide a brisk start. Glenn Phillips top-scored with 39, but regular wickets restricted the Black Caps from crossing the 160 mark.
For England Tom Banton made 33 and captain Harry Brook scored 26. Rachin Ravindra claimed three wickets for New Zealand, but England’s late surge proved decisive.
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