Will Jacks capitalised on the belief he has built during a breakthrough global campaign, while Rehan Ahmed marked his arrival in the tournament with a fearless and decisive cameo, as England overpowered New Zealand in a tense, spin-heavy contest in Colombo to book their place in the semi-finals with their most convincing win yet.

Although the fixture carried no consequence for England’s qualification hopes, it meant everything to New Zealand. They remain strong favourites to advance unless Pakistan can engineer a huge victory over Sri Lanka in their final group match on Saturday. This, however, was their opportunity to seal progression independently. When England stumbled to 117 for 6 after 17 overs, with Jos Buttler enduring yet another setback in a difficult tournament, the equation of 43 runs needed from 18 balls looked daunting.

The winning moment arrived in unusual fashion, the ball glancing off Jacks’ grille for the boundary with three deliveries to spare. He responded with a casual shrug as he collected his fourth Player-of-the-Match award of the campaign. Yet the defining surge had unfolded two overs earlier, during the final spell of Glenn Phillips, who had already delivered a standout all-round performance.

Phillips had earlier top-scored with a commanding 39 off 28 balls in New Zealand’s hard-earned 159 for 7. His first-ball removal of the in-form Harry Brook provided a major breakthrough, and his spectacular diving catch at deep midwicket to dismiss Jacob Bethell left England struggling at 58 for 4 in the ninth over, seemingly crushing their chase.

However, Tom Banton steadied the innings with a brisk 33 from 24 balls, keeping England in contention through the middle phase. From there, Jacks and Rehan launched a decisive counterattack. Rehan, drafted in for Jamie Overton on his tournament debut, set the tone by smashing Phillips over long-on for six. Jacks followed by clearing midwicket, before finishing the over with consecutive boundaries in a 22-run burst that turned the game.

Rehan then took on Mitchell Santner, who had been miserly until that point, unfurling a superb reverse-sweep for four. He sealed his electrifying cameo by charging down the pitch and launching a second six over long-off, reducing the target to a mere five runs from the final over — a formality England duly completed to seal a statement victory.