ENG vs NZ Live Score, T20 World Cup: England come back from behind to register 4-wicket win

ENG vs NZ Live Score, T20 World Cup 2026: After setting a target of 160, New Zealand looked all set for an emphatic win, but Rehan Ahmed and Will Jacks produced partnership of a lifetime, to hand England the win.

New Zealand and Pakistan’s hopes for semifinal qualification are on the line. England has already reached the final four. The Kiwis hold their fate in their hands. If they win, they qualify. If they don’t, it’ll all depend on whether Pakistan beat Sri Lanka and by what margin.

ENG vs NZ Match Details

Match: England vs New Zealand, Super 8, Group 2 (Match 49)
Date: February 27, 2026 (Friday)
Time: 7:00 PM IST, Toss: 6:30 PM IST
Venue: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Captains: Harry Brook (England), Mitchell Santner (New Zealand)

ENG vs NZ: Playing XIs

England: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Harry Brook (c), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid.

New Zealand: Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner (c), Cole McConchie, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson.

ENG vs NZ Live Streaming Details

In India:

TV Broadcast: Star Sports Network (Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 HD, etc.)
Live Streaming: JioHotstar app and website (free with Jio subscription options; also available on Disney+ Hotstar in some packages).

In England: TV on Sky Sports Cricket; streaming via Sky Go or NOW TV app. Global free options may include ICC.tv in select regions.

In New Zealand: All matches of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 are exclusively live-streamed on SKY Sport NOW (SKY Sport on TV).

This Live Blog has Ended

ENG vs NZ live score: England win

27/02/2026 22:27

What a turnaround in the last three overs by England, to take the win in last over. Will Jacks gets 32 from 18, Rehan Ahmed scores 19 from 7 to do the unthinkable. NZ are still not in semis and Pakistan are still not out.

ENG vs NZ live score: Will Jacks takes on bowler

27/02/2026 22:19

Jacks has changed the match in a span of two overs here and is dealing in boundaries at the moment.The partnership is 31 from 11 and some poor bowling hurting NZ. 5 needed from the last over.

ENG vs NZ live score: WICKET

27/02/2026 22:10

Rachin Ravindra comes up with third wicket. This time he gets rid of Tom Banton for 33 off 24. 43 needed in 19 deliveries now.

ENG vs NZ live score: 46 from 24 needed

27/02/2026 22:05

England is somehow managing to stay in the hunt. 46 needed from 4 overs and Will Jacks and Sam Curran still at the crease.

ENG vs NZ live score: England 5 down

27/02/2026 22:01

Rachin Ravindra has a wicket here as he removes Sam Curran here. He could not do the job with thet bat, but has been excellent with the ball. It is 101/5 in 15 overs.

ENG vs NZ live score: Chase possible for England

27/02/2026 21:54

63 needed from 36 now, and England can't be ruled out of the match as yet. Partnership is 39 for now. ENgland 97/4 in 14 overs.

ENG vs NZ live score: Partnership building

27/02/2026 21:52

Banton and Curran are building a partnership here and in quick time as well. The score has moved to 95/4 in 13 overs

ENG vs NZ live score: Semis a step closer

27/02/2026 21:42

New Zealand are comfortably moving closer to confirming their semis berth. Pakistan are on their way out for now. Runs are coming at a slow pace for the English. It is 71/4 i n 11 overs.

ENG vs NZ live score: Close DRS call

27/02/2026 21:38

New Zealand lose a review but the issue wasn't that they lost it but rather that the umpire thought Tom Banton had edged it despite a gap between the bat and ball.

The broadcasters later showed that the ball was missing anyway.

ENG vs NZ live score: Stunner from Phillips

27/02/2026 21:31

You can't take Phillips away from action. After getting Brook out, he takes a stunning catch at midwicket. A short ball there to be hit by Rachin Ravindra, which Bethell hits flat to Phillips, who didn't miss.

ENG vs NZ live score: Brook OUT

27/02/2026 21:24

Glenn Phillips gets a wicket first ball. After showing respect to Santner, Brook looks to attack the part-time off-spinner. However, that turns costly for him and England.

He hits a full ball with some flight that's pitched outside off to Daryl Mitchell at long off. Brook wanted to hit it over covers but the slowness of the pitch and spin gets him in trouble.

ENG vs NZ live score: Balanced at powerplay

27/02/2026 21:16

That's poor bowling from Cole McConchie. Short ball after short ball. He didn't turn the ball either. New Zealand will need him to step up.

Right now, both teams are in the game.

ENG vs NZ live score: Recovery

27/02/2026 21:12

Some counterpunching by Brook and Bethell; they've scored 26 runs in the last 3 overs. They need to utilise the last over of the powerplay, because after that it won't be easy to score.

ENG vs NZ live score: Brook vs Henry

27/02/2026 21:04

Wow! Some counterpunching from Harry Brook. He steps out and smashes Henry over covers. The next ball, he picks a full ball on the stumps and hits it to square leg, all while falling down. He hit the screen as well.

ENG vs NZ live score: Buttler gone

27/02/2026 20:55

Buttler's poor form continues. A stomach-high ball way outside off from Lockie Ferguson. To deal with the movement, Buttler takes a couple of steps and pokes at the ball. He tries to guide the ball to third man but only gets an edgem which goes to Seifert.

ENG vs NZ live score: Henry strikes

27/02/2026 20:48

Once again Matt Henry gets a wicket in the first over. A peach of a delivery. After troubling Phil Salt with balls coming in and going away, Henry gets him with the latter which pitches on 4th stump and moves away just a touch. Seifert takes a regulation catch. New Zealand are on top.

ENG vs NZ live score: Stat Attack

27/02/2026 20:33

This tells you all about this pitch.

16 overs of spin tonight is the most that England have bowled in a T20. Five spinners used is also the most by an England team.

This time last year, England had never bowled more than 11 overs of spin in a match. Under Brook's captaincy, they have done so seven times
— Matt Roller (@mroller98) February 27, 2026

ENG vs NZ live score: New Zealand end with 159

27/02/2026 20:31

Barring a couple of hits from Cole McConchie and one from Mitchell Santner, New Zealand just couldn't connect. It's a tough pitch and scoring over 160 won't be easy, unless dew sets in.

ENG vs NZ live score: England recover

27/02/2026 20:17

Rashid, Dawson, and Jacks have brought England back into the game. New Zealand have scored just 12 runs in the last 3.1 overs and lost 3 wickets.

Dawson gets Daryl Mitchell, who failed to time the ball from the get-go. Then Phillips tried to whack a full ball outside the off-stump, after scoring just 11 runs from his last 14 balls, the ball spun a big way and hit the stumps. Some good bowling by Jacks.

ENG vs NZ live score: Rashid gets Chapman

27/02/2026 20:06

Straight after the drinks break, a wicket has fallen. A loopy full legspinner from Rashid that gets Chapman. He runs down the pitch but the ball turns into him and he's stuck in the middle of the pitch. Buttler completes the formality of dislodging the bail.

ENG vs NZ live score: Poor bowling

27/02/2026 20:00

Some poor bowling from England. They are dropping it too short and then overcompensating with bowling too full. Phillips and Mark Chapman are making them pay.

ENG vs NZ live score: Rehan gets Rachin

27/02/2026 19:51

Dream start for Rehan Ahmed. It made no sense that Jacob Bethell was bowling ahead of him. He comes and strikes immediately. Sure, the ball wasn't great but it works for England.

As for New Zealand, they'll be unhappy to throw away the last 2 wickets. Rachin Ravindra wasn't batting well, 11 (13).

ENG vs NZ live score: Both openers gone

27/02/2026 19:44

There's a significant turn on the surface. Even Jacks is spinning it heaps. But amid all of this, Glenn Phillips is 15 (8). He's taken down Rashid, who's gone for 21 in 2 overs and has 1 wicket to his name.

All things considered, New Zealand is on top. To score 84 in 10 overs while losing 2 wickets on this pitch is an excellent effort.

ENG vs NZ live score: Both openers gone

27/02/2026 19:37

That's poor from Allen. A full ball on the pads from Will Jacks, who's bowling from around the wicket, and he hits it straight to Jacob Bethell at mid-wicket. Allen didn't even hit it hard; he kind of flicked it.

ENG vs NZ live score: Adil Rashid strikes

27/02/2026 19:32

Adil Rashid comes to bowl in the first over after the powerplay and Seifert takes him on.

But Rashid has the last laugh, getting his stumped on the last ball after getting hit for a six over midwicket.

ENG vs NZ live score: Archer vs Seifert

27/02/2026 19:23

Seifert recovers in style. Harry Brook decides to give Archer a 3rd over in the powerplay and he goes for 16 runs.

After playing a maiden against Archer, Seifert hits two fours on the off-side, mid-off and cover, and follows that with a six over midwicket.

ENG vs NZ live score: Tim Allen seeing it well

27/02/2026 19:16

Allen is seeing it well. While Seifert struggles, he's taking the quick run-scoring charge.

New Zealand have now scored 28 off last 3 overs.

Finn Allen 𝙬𝙖𝙞𝙩𝙨, 𝙡𝙤𝙖𝙙𝙨 & 𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙞𝙩 🚀

The #NZ openers are settling in nicely and setting the tone in Colombo 👌

ICC Men’s #T20WorldCup, SUPER 8, #ENGvNZ | LIVE NOW ➡️ https://t.co/ueqfaabxcO pic.twitter.com/4i5kfQ4xkA
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 27, 2026

ENG vs NZ live score: Archer errs

27/02/2026 19:13

For whatever reasons, Archer has tried to take pace off when his stock ball has been causing immense trouble for Finn Allen and Seifert. 9 from his 2nd over.

ENG vs NZ live score: Beautiful bowling from Jofra Archer

27/02/2026 19:04

Jofra Archer started with a slower ball and the ball is seaming around. Tim Seifert had no idea what to do throughout the first over. Seifert even survived a close call after using a review.

A wicket maiden to start. Some incredible bowling from Archer. He beat Seifert on his inside and outside edge. Troubled him with bounce, swing and seam.

ENG vs NZ live score: Win toss, bat first

27/02/2026 18:51

"We would have batted as well," that's what Harry Brook said after losing the toss.

The reason why both teams wanted to bat first at the R. Premadasa Stadium is that the teams which have batted first have won 5 of the 6 matches.

ENG vs NZ live score: Matt Henry to return home

27/02/2026 18:43

New Zealand coach head Rob Walter has revealed that fast bowler Matt Henry will return home after the ENG vs NZ match for the birth of his second child.

If New Zealand qualify for the semifinals, Henry will rejoin the squad.

ENG vs NZ live score: New Zealand Playing XI

27/02/2026 18:40

Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner (c), Cole McConchie, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson

No changes for New Zealand

ENG vs NZ live score: England Playing XI

27/02/2026 18:38

Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Harry Brook (c), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid

England have brought Rehan Ahmed in for Jamie Overton

ENG vs NZ live score: New Zealand win toss, opt to bat first

27/02/2026 18:33

Mitchell Santner has won the toss and opted to bat first in Colombo.

"We're going to have a bat first. You have to win games if you want to win a World Cup. Nice to have a run on this wicket the other night. We know what it's going to do. Does look the same. Looked good last game and spun more than we thought. If it's flatter, have to adjust accordingly. You try and use the dimensions in your favour. Same team," Santner said after winning the toss.

Here's how the teams line up as NZ eye semi-final qualification! 📝

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿: Rehan Ahmed replaces Jamie Overton
🇳🇿: Unchanged XI

ICC Men’s #T20WorldCup, SUPER 8, #ENGvNZ | LIVE NOW ➡️ https://t.co/ueqfaabxcO pic.twitter.com/avcugNBoq7
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 27, 2026

ENG vs NZ live score: Predicted XIs

27/02/2026 18:22

England: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Harry Brook (c), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid.

New Zealand: Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner (c), Cole McConchie, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson.

ENG vs NZ Head-to-Head Record in T20Is

27/02/2026 18:15

Matches Played: 30
England Won: 17
New Zealand Won: 10
No Result: 3
In T20 World Cups: 1-1

ENG vs NZ, R. Premadasa Stadium Pitch Report

27/02/2026 18:09

The R. Premadasa Stadium is known for its balanced nature but traditionally leans toward the spinners as the game progresses. However, recent games have shown that pacers with good variations can find success early on. A par score is expected to be around 165–175. Teams winning the toss are likely to bat first, given that four out of the last five games at this venue have been won by the team setting the target.

ENG vs NZ live score: 30 minutes to toss

27/02/2026 18:00

Hello and welcome to the live coverage of the England vs New Zealand match in the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup 2026.

We are still 30 minutes away from toss.

Could be the last match at RPS this World Cup. Chances of Pakistan playing a semi-final here are remote. The atmosphere here for most games has been superb. Not much of a crowd today. pic.twitter.com/uOndvD3i4L
— Rex Clementine (@RexClementine) February 27, 2026

Cricket ICC T20 World Cup England Cricket New Zealand Cricket Harry Brook Jos Buttler Mitchell Santner