02/27/26 12:04:00
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02/27 12:02 CST England comeback win against NZ gives Pakistan last chance to
reach T20 World Cup semis
England comeback win against NZ gives Pakistan last chance to reach T20 World
Cup semis
By KRISHAN FRANCIS
Associated Press
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) --- New Zealand failed to clinch a Twenty20 World Cup
semifinals place when it lost to England by four wickets on Friday, leaving
Pakistan a last chance to qualify.
New Zealand looked set to join England in the semifinals when it reduced
England to 117-6 in the 17th over in pursuit of 160. But big hits by Will Jacks
and Rehan Ahmed got England over the finish line with three balls remaining in
a thriller.
"Would have made our lives easier if we won," New Zealand captain Mitch Santner
said. "We played a pretty good game. Credit to England. Jacks and Rehan with
the finishing touches, it was a good bit of batting."
The odds still favor New Zealand going through from the Super Eights but
Pakistan has a last-ditch chance on Saturday against Sri Lanka in Pallekele.
Pakistan has to beat Sri Lanka by 64 runs or chase down the tournament co-host
in 13.1 overs.
England had already qualified but completed the Super Eights three-for-three
unbeaten.
That record was in jeopardy for much of the chase.
Phil Salt was out in the first over and fellow opener Jos Buttler for a
two-ball duck in the second over. Buttler has only 62 runs in seven matches and
his 10th career duck set the all-time record for England in T20s.
Captain Harry Brook and Jacob Bethel were gone inside nine overs then Tom
Banton and Sam Curran struggled to 42 runs in 35 balls. England was left
needing 43 runs off 19 deliveries with four wickets on a used pitch that was
turning.
Ahmed replaced Jamie Overton because of the pitch and took 2-28, and he made
his bat also count.
He sent the second ball he faced over the long-on fence as he and Jacks turned
the game with 22 runs in the 18th over bowled by Glenn Phillips. They plundered
16 runs from the 19th bowled by Santner and cruised home.
Jacks was unbeaten on 32 including a six and four boundaries. Ahmed faced seven
deliveries for 19 which included two sixes and a boundary.
"Having gone out on a knife edge I'm over the moon," Jacks said after his
fourth player of the match award in the tournament. "Rehan played a brilliant
innings. Everyone struggled to get going on that pitch and the six he hit
second ball got them rattled and I fed off him.
"Feel confident right now, calm in the middle. That can be vital. We're going
in the right direction, three wins in the Super Eight, we're very happy."
Santner chose to bat first, as both teams wanted, and his team made 159-7.
Tim Seifert and Finn Allen opened with 64 in seven overs but they lost wickets
frequently from then on. Phillips top-scored with 39. New Zealand scored only
24 runs in the last three overs.
Spinners Jacks, Adil Rashid and Ahmed took two wickets each.
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AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket
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