CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh – England posted a challenging 172-6 in their 20 overs against New Zealand in their group one match of the Super-10 stage in Chittagong on Saturday.
Moeen Ali led the way with 36 while Michael Lumb hit 33 and Jos Buttler scored 32 after New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum won the toss and sent England in to bat at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury stadium.
Ravi Bopara hit a 19-ball unbeaten 24 and Tim Bresnan hit an eight-ball 17 not out to help England muster 88 in the last 10
overs.
England were off to a disastrous start when opener Alex Hales was dismissed off the third ball of the innings, caught one-handed high over his head by Corey Anderson at mid-off.
Lumb and Ali steadied the innings during their 72-run second wicket stand.
Ali, playing only his third T20, hit six well timed boundaries and a six before he holed out off Anderson in the deep and three runs later Lumb joined him in the pavilion.
Lumb hit four boundaries and a six off 24 balls.
Buttler looked threatening during his innings spiced with six boundaries but he was bowled by Anderson who was the pick of New Zealand bowlers with 2-32.
Earlier in the day world number one Sri Lanka outlasted South Africa by five runs in an exciting match in Chittagong to open group one in the Super-10 stage.
Two teams from the each group will qualify for the semis. – Sapa-AFP