England seal prime spot in Group 2 at T20 World Cup in Tremendous Eights stage with four-wicket win towards New Zealand.
England topped their Tremendous Eights group on the T20 World Cup with a four-wicket win towards New Zealand, which leaves the latter nervously ready on Pakistan’s last match at this stage.
Match co-hosts Sri Lanka are already eradicated, however host Pakistan on Saturday in Pallekele.
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If Pakistan are to affix England in progressing to the semifinals, they have to not solely win the match however achieve this by a margin that can overcome New Zealand’s internet run-rate benefit.
England’s win towards New Zealand at R Premadasa Stadium on Friday, was led by Participant of the Match Will Jacks because the 2010 and 2022 champions’ chase overcame their opponents’ 159-7.
The early lack of openers Phil Salt and Jos Buttler, leaving their aspect on 2-2 after eight balls, put England’s possibilities of successful the match unsure.
When captain Harry Brook and Jacob Bethell fell within the house of eight runs to go away England 58-4 within the ninth, the Kiwis appeared as if they could flip the screw.
Will Jacks and Rehan Ahmed (32 and 19) have been the heroes to see it dwelling for England in an unbeaten seventh-wicket partnership of 44.
Reflecting on his fourth Participant of Match award on the event, Jacks stated, “I reckon that is the most effective.
“I’m buzzing, to be not out on the finish – when it was on a knife-edge once I went on the market – I’m over the moon.
“Rehan performed amazingly and put them on the backfoot, and I used to be capable of play off him.
“Going into the semifinals, we really feel in a robust place with three wins towards three superb groups.”
Earlier, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner gained the toss and elected to bat first, understanding a win would earn the Kiwis the second semifinal spot from Group 2.
New Zealand, who’ve by no means gained the T20 World Cup, fielded the identical aspect that beat Sri Lanka comprehensively on Wednesday, whereas England, who had already certified after beating Sri Lanka and Pakistan, bolstered its spin assault by recalling Ahmed instead of Jamie Overton.
The choice could have been questionable when the Kiwis reached 64-0 after 6.5 overs. Ahmed’s wrist-spin associate Adil Rashid stepped in, nonetheless, to have Tim Seifert stumped for 35 off 25, earlier than off-spinner Will Jacks eliminated Finn Allen for 29 off 19.
Over to Ahmed, who picked up the wicket of Rachin Ravindra along with his first ball in World Cup cricket. Glenn Phillips topped up the entire with 39 off 28 earlier than he grew to become Jacks’ second wicket, whereas Rashid and Ahmed additionally went on to assert two scalps.
“We now have seen what Rehan can do within the nets, and he has gone on the market and brought the sport away from them,” England captain Brooks stated.
“We stated from the beginning of the competitors that we are going to choose gamers based mostly on circumstances, and we felt immediately was the day to carry Rehan in – he did a tremendous job.”
South Africa has already certified from Group 1. The second spot can be determined by the results of the match between India and the West Indies on Sunday. England will face the winner of that recreation within the semifinals.
“We’ve already performed towards West Indies … each groups are very robust and highly effective,” Brooks added.
“We nonetheless haven’t performed the proper recreation, nor had the begins we wish with the bat and ball, however now we have acquired over the road in some very tight video games and in World Cups that may make it easier to.”
For Pakistan to leapfrog New Zealand and arrange a semifinal towards South Africa, they have to both beat Sri Lanka by 65 runs or extra, or chase their goal down in fewer than 13 overs.
