New Zealand head to crucial T20 World Cup clash against England with fate in their hands

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/new-zealand/G6PWlrQB/"]New Zealand[/a]'s first Super Eights game against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/pakistan/tS3K91g9/"]Pakistan[/a] was abandoned due to rain, but a ‌61-run win over [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/sri-lanka/zahH5UHg/"]Sri Lanka[/a] on Wednesday boosted their chances of ‌qualification, with a win over [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/england/UJC5mtAU/"]England[/a] in Colombo guaranteeing a semi-final berth.[/p][p]But if ‌England, who are already through to the semis, beat New Zealand, ‌then Pakistan will have a chance to make the last four provided they beat Sri Lanka on Saturday, and end the Super Eights with a better net ‌run rate than New Zealand.[/p][p][b]"It's not doom and we're ⁠not dead if we don't ‌win,"[/b] coach Rob Walter told reporters on Thursday.[/p][p]"But certainly we leave it up to ​external factors then and it is out of our own hands. So we certainly don't want to be in that position.[/p][p][b]"It's ​really about taking care of the ball-by-ball process, and hopefully that takes care of the result."[/b][/p][p]Harry Brook's 50-ball hundred for England against Pakistan ⁠earlier this week came at ​number three, sparking discussion around his batting position, but the New Zealand coach played down its significance.[/p][p][b]"Where in the order he comes in is probably irrelevant. You've still got to bowl him whether it's in the first ‌over or the 15th over,"[/b] Walter said.[/p][p]"Batting orders can be sort of overstated at times and I think whatever decision they make, we will be ready for him."[/p][embed guid="2cfde9e9-926b-44d4-b0b5-82e3f77bf430" url="https://x.com/Kiwiscricketfan/status/2026708775550464134" social-type="twitter" /][p]For two-time champions England, the match will be an opportunity to test themselves against a good side before the semi-finals, said Tim Southee, the former New Zealand captain who is a specialist skills consultant with England.[/p][p]England looked shaky earlier in the tournament after losing to [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/west-indies/jTD1lMfO/"]West Indies[/a] in the group stage, but became the first team ‌to reach the semis with clinical wins over Sri Lanka and Pakistan ​in the Super Eights.[/p][p][b]"I think although we haven't played the perfect ‌game, and to sit here being already qualified with a game to go, it's only a good thing,"[/b] Southee said.[/p][p]"The mood in the camp is brilliant. It's a side where all the lads get on so well, great spirit... we've got a great opportunity ⁠for them to go out and ⁠represent England against a good ‌New Zealand side."[/p]