New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat first. Tim Seifert (35 off 25), Finn Allen (29 off 19) and Glenn Phillips (39 off 28) all made valuable contributions but the Black Caps managed only 159/7 in their 20 overs.

England were in deep trouble at 58/4, with the openers Phil Salt (two off four) and Jos Buttler (0 off two) who once again failed to get going. The middle order of captain Harry Brook (26 off 24), Jacob Bethell (21 off 16), Tom Banton (33 off 24) and Sam Curran (24 off 22), got them back on track. 

It was a brilliant, unbroken partnership of 44 runs between Will Jacks and Rehan Ahmed, who took their team over the line with three deliveries to spare.

After the match, Player of the Match Jacks was full of praise for his batting partner, Ahmed, who hit an unbeaten 19 off 7 balls.

Energy

“That ball Rehan hit, a six on the second ball, that gave me energy as well. And I thought, right, we’ve got a chance here. And then obviously I finished the over 6, 4, 4, and we were on. 

“I think small moments like that are so important, and not just the runs but the way it happens, hitting a big six and really showing the bowler that you’re on here. We believe that we can win from that moment. I think the mindset changed.”

The defeat means the Black Caps are not confirmed of a semi-final berth yet. Their fate will be decided by the clash between Pakistan and Sri Lanka on Saturday.

However, Pakistan will have their work cut out to deprive New Zealand of a semi-final place. To overtake New Zealand on Net Run Rate, they’ll need to beat Dasun Shanaka’s side by more than 65 runs, or chase down a target inside around 13 overs, though the figures won’t be exactly known until after the first innings of the match.

New Zealand knocked Sri Lanka out of contention in Colombo on Wednesday, and the Lions only have pride to play for on Saturday.

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger dg