England Weigh Rehan Ahmed for T20 World Cup Clash with New Zealand in Colombo

Bassyonni

Published: February 27, 2026 7:50 AM ET

England Weigh Rehan Ahmed for T20 World Cup Clash with New Zealand in Colombo

England is evaluating the potential inclusion of leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed for their T20 World Cup Super 8s match against New Zealand in Colombo. The match is set to take place on the same pitch where New Zealand secured a victory over Sri Lanka, demonstrating significant spin influence. England has already qualified for the semi-finals and will finalize their lineup after assessing the pitch conditions on Friday.

Pitch Conditions and Team Strategy

Bowling coach Tim Southee has indicated that the pitch may present a “pretty scrappy” challenge. He noted, “We’ve seen spin play such a big part here.” With this information in mind, England is considering enhancing their spin attack to adapt to the expected conditions.

Rehan Ahmed’s Potential Impact

Rehan Ahmed, 21, is a regular member of England’s squad.
Despite being part of the setup, he has not played in a T20 since September.
His last competitive action occurred during the one-day internationals against Sri Lanka, where he also opened the innings.

If selected, Ahmed may replace a pace bowler, with Jamie Overton being a possible candidate. The balance of the team remains crucial as England aims to strengthen their bowling options.

Bowling Options and Previous Performance

In the recent match against Sri Lanka, New Zealand utilized only two pace bowlers, reflecting the effectiveness of spin on the pitch where 30 out of 40 overs were bowled by spinners. England has several options, including Jofra Archer, Sam Curran, and spinners Adil Rashid, Liam Dawson, and Will Jacks. However, Jacob Bethell’s unavailability to bowl due to an injury could also factor into team decisions as the match approaches.

As the T20 World Cup continues, England’s strategic choices will be closely monitored, especially regarding how they adapt to the characteristics of the Colombo pitch against New Zealand. The inclusion of Rehan Ahmed could play a pivotal role in enhancing their bowling strength in this crucial encounter.