LAHORE: Pakistan will take on Sri Lanka on Saturday with a realistic chance of qualifying for the semifinals of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. This opportunity arose after England defeated New Zealand by four wickets on Friday to top Group 2 of the Super Eight Stage; England will now play their semifinal in Mumbai.

The defeat has left New Zealand on three points with a net run-rate of +1.39. However, if Pakistan, who currently have a net run-rate of -0.46, beat Sri Lanka by either 65 runs or chase down the target in 13 overs, they will leapfrog New Zealand into second position in Group 2.

England, chasing 160 for victory, were looking down the barrel when they needed 43 runs from the final 18 balls on a wicket that was supporting the spinners.

However, Will Jacks and Rehan Ahmed shifted the momentum by scoring 22 runs from Glenn Phillips’ 18th over. This was followed by 16 runs in Mitchell Santner’s over, leaving England requiring only five runs for victory in the final over. The win was sealed on the third delivery when the ball crossed the fence after deflecting from Jacks’ helmet grill.

Rehan Ahmed, playing his first match, contributed a vital 19 from seven balls after picking up two wickets for 28 runs earlier in the day. Will Jacks contributed a match-winning 32 not out from 18 balls with four fours and a six. The two batters added 44 runs for the unfinished seventh-wicket partnership in just 16 balls.

Scores in brief:

England beat New Zealand by four wickets

New Zealand: 159-7, 20 overs (Glenn Phillips 39, Tim Seifert 35, Finn Allen 29; Will Jacks 2-23, Adil Rashid 2-28, Rehan Ahmed 2-28)

England: 161-6, 19.3 overs (Tom Banton 33, Will Jacks 32 not out, Harry Brook 26, Sam Curran 24, Jacob Bethell 21, Rehan Ahmed 19 not out; Rachin Ravindra 3-19)