Manager Moeen Ali has welcomed the possibility of using Rehan Ahmed to create a highly spin-heavy attack when England face New Zealand in the Super 8s of the T20 World Cup on Friday.
England secured a place in the semi-finals with one game remaining with a two-wicket win over Pakistan thanks to Harry Brook’s 51-ball century.
This marks England’s fifth successive run into the last four and will give them a reprieve to rest their players in the final Super 8 match in Colombo, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
“I think it’s an opportunity to change the lineup. You could play Rehan, you could rest Jofra (Archer) a little bit and you could play Josh Tan,” Moeen told Sky Sports News.
“But I’m glad they got through because wickets like this can be difficult in games you have to win. I think they’re a very good option on a wicket like that. Spin seems to be dominant. Yesterday (Wednesday) the wicket was slow and having two leg-spinners is not a bad thing.”
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Check out the best shots from Harry Brook’s 50-ball century against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup. The knock featured 10 fours and four sixes.
Wednesday’s match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka, played at the same ground as England in Colombo, saw 10 of the 15 casualties caused by spin.
Ahmed has not played a T20 match since the tour to Ireland in September 2025.
When England bowling consultant Tim Southee entered the changing room of his native New Zealand, he was greeted with a “strange” feeling.
He works closely with England’s Jofra Archer and has bounced back after a disappointing start to the tournament with a total of 2-80 in eight overs.
Archer responded with numbers of 15-0 and 111-8 through four games, maintaining a pace of over 90 mph and Southie warning of continued improvement.
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Highlights of all England matches defeat Pakistan by 2 wickets to advance to T20 World Cup semi-finals
“The good sign is that he’s looked better and better over the last few games, and that bodes well for the next few games,” Southey said. “He’s obviously a first-class bowler.
“He’s a fast bowler, he can move the ball, he’s got unbelievable skills. Sometimes he’s got too many skills and you just narrow it down to what’s effective at the time.”
“It’s great to see how he approaches his job. He really loves cricket and he loves bowling so it’s great to work with such a great bowler.”
Meanwhile, New Zealand manager Rob Walter insisted his team would not underestimate Jos Buttler despite struggling against England’s bat in the opening game.
Buttler scored in single digits in four consecutive games for the first time in his T20 career, but he scored just two points in England’s last win over Pakistan.
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Saim Ayub gets caught by Jacob Bethel as Archer shines against Pakistan
“I don’t think anyone doubts the quality of Jos Buttler,” Walter said. “He has enough numbers behind his name to suggest he is one of England’s best white-ball batsmen.
“But we know that every batsman probably finds a lull space at some point in their career and sometimes that can change with just one knock.
“By the way, I hope it’s not Friday, but no one will doubt his quality and neither will we.”
Moeen suggested that Friday’s free batting against New Zealand could be a golden opportunity for Buttler, especially given Brook’s impressive winning innings.
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Moeen Ali breaks down Brook’s innings and what he can achieve as a top order batsman on a regular basis
“They want to play against Butler and they want to be able to score, even if it’s 40 pitches or 30 pitches. We’re in the middle of the day right now. If we can qualify and have a game, that’s a bit of a luxury,” he said.
“I think it’s a big plus for the England side. When the captain goes out there and plays like he used to and plays with his heart held high at number three and gives his all, it’s a big boost, and if anything, it’ll be a boost for Jos as well.”
“He probably feels like he has to do the same. He has to go out there and be brave. It was an unbelievable inning.”
England T20 World Cup Super 8 results and fixtures
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