🏏 ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026: NZ vs Eng 49th Match,27 Feb 🏏 - Page 2

Form guide

England: WWWWL (last five completed T20Is, most recent first)

New Zealand: WWLWW

ENG vs NZ Head-to-Head Record

England and New Zealand have played 30 T20 Internationals against each other so far. The Three Lions have won 16 matches, while New Zealand have managed 10 victories, with three games ending in no result and one being tied. In T20 World Cups, England have won four out of seven encounters.

In the last five T20Is played between the two sides, New Zealand have won two matches, England have won one, and two matches ended in a no-result. England secured a commanding 65-run victory in Christchurch in the most recent encounter between the two sides in October 2025.

Matches Played : 30

ENG Won : 16
NZ Won : 10
Tied / No Results : 04

First-ever Fixture: September 18, 2007

Last Fixture: October 23, 2025

Weather Report

Weather conditions in Colombo are expected to be mostly sunny during the day and clear at night. The match is expected to start without any interruption, though there is a 15% chance of rain late in the game.

Toss Impact

The toss will be extremely important, given the potential dew expected in the second innings. However, the captain winning the toss is likely to bat first and put the opposition under pressure with a big total on the board.

Form and Fitness

Philip Salt has been in scintillating form, scoring 62 against Sri Lanka in the Super 8s. For New Zealand, Tim Seifert is among the leading run-getters in the tournament.

Score Prediction

A first-innings score between 160 and 170 should be highly competitive on this surface. Anything above 175 would be a massive total, especially given the assistance available for spinners.

ENG vs NZ Probable Best Performers

Probable Best Batter: Harry Brook

England's skipper, Harry Brook, could be the best batter in the upcoming game against the New Zealand team, as he has managed to hit 202 runs in six games at an average of 33.66 and a strike rate of 172.64. With one ton and one and a half centuries to his name, Brook has been in fine touch and will look to continue the same rhythm in his team's next clash. Notably, Brook will be riding high on confidence after a match-winning century against Pakistan, and will look begin from where he left.

Probable Best Bowler: Jofra Archer

England's ace pacer, Jofra Archer, could be the best bowler in his team's forthcoming game. Archer has had a solid tournament so far, claiming 10 wickets in six innings. However, with the pitch assisting fast bowlers, the speedster will be hopeful to continue his momentum.

Super 8 showdown in Colombo - As the Super 8 stage tightens its grip, England and New Zealand collide in Match 9 of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, a contest layered with context and consequence. England have already punched their ticket to the semi-finals with wins over Sri Lanka and Pakistan, yet they will be eager to complete a perfect Super 8 sweep and carry winning momentum forward. For New Zealand, the path is clear - win, and they are through. Even in defeat, their formidable Net Run Rate of +3.050 keeps them ahead of Pakistan's -0.461, but a heavy loss could complicate matters. The stakes are defined, the margins razor-thin.

Built for tournament cricket - England may not have dominated games outright, but they have mastered the art of winning key moments. Against Pakistan, they were wobbling before Harry Brook's bold move up to No. 3 paid off spectacularly. His match-winning century made him the first captain to score a T20 World Cup hundred and placed him alongside Jos Buttler and Dawid Malan as the only English batters with tons in all three formats.

Buttler's tournament has been underwhelming statistically, averaging 10.33, but with qualification secured, freedom could unlock his best. Phil Salt's crucial 62 against Sri Lanka proved decisive, while six different batters crossing 100 runs reflect impressive depth. Will Jacks' all-round contributions have been invaluable, Jofra Archer has surged back with 10 wickets, and the spin pairing of Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson has shared 18 wickets. Add Jamie Overton and Sam Curran, and England possess enviable balance.

Composed under pressure - New Zealand's campaign has been built on composure. Three group-stage victories set the tone before their Super 8 opener was washed out. A tricky transition to Sri Lankan conditions nearly caught them out when they slipped to 84/6, but Mitchell Santner's explosive 47 off 26, alongside Cole McConchie, revived the innings. Rachin Ravindra then turned match-winner with 4/27, underlining how effectively their spin resources have adapted.

Their explosive opening duo of Finn Allen and Tim Seifert have combined for 341 runs, Glenn Phillips owns the highest average in the squad, and Ravindra's all-round rhythm adds confidence. More is expected from Mark Chapman and Daryl Mitchell, but with Lockie Ferguson's pace, Matt Henry's consistency and Santner's control, the Kiwis remain well equipped.

Colombo's turning point - The R Premadasa Stadium traditionally offers assistance to spinners, and this could shape the narrative. New Zealand already showed their hand by bowling 17 overs of spin in the last game, while England's Rashid and Dawson have thrived in similar conditions.

Interestingly, both batting units have at times looked uncomfortable against quality spin, setting up a fascinating middle-overs duel. With turn, grip and tactical-nous likely to influence proceedings, this Super 8 clash could ultimately hinge on which side masters Colombo's slow-burning chessboard.

Thank you Soni for the thread and for tagging.

Best wishes to both teams.

Thanks for the tag, Soni!

Best of luck to both the teams! A little more to my favourites

Bhai unki kismat bhi aachi hai — jeeto toh semi finals ; haaro toh bhi semi finals main jayenge! Only that they have to lose decently & not by a huge margin.