New Zealand progresses to the T20 World Cup final after a narrow win over England

After the opener, Daryl Mitchell's bravery, and James Neesham's ground invasion here on Wednesday, New Zealand changed the game to beat England by five wickets in the first quarterfinal of the T20 World Cup.

New Zealand rescued their tragic loss in the summit battle of the 2019 ODI World Cup against the same opposition, when they came second based on boundary count, by reaching the final of the T20 extravaganza.

Mitchell smashed his way to an undefeated 72 off 47 balls, while Neesham hit 27 off 11 balls. Meanwhile, Devon Conway scored 46 off 38 balls as the Black Caps hunted down a 167-run target with six balls to spare.

Neesham hauled Chris Jordan for two sixes and a four for a total of 23 runs, seeking 57 off 24 balls. For the Kiwis, the massive over reduced the equation to 34 balls from 18 balls.

Mitchell, on the other hand, smashed Chris Woakes for two more sixes and a four to complete the mission with an over to spare, which looked unachievable just seconds before.

Martin Guptill (4) started New Zealand's chase for 167 with a first-ball boundary, but two balls later, the crucial opener got a leading edge off Woakes, handing England a major benefit right at the start of their innings.

Kane Williamson sought to break the constraints as England tightened the knot, but he wound up top-edging Woakes to Rashid, reducing New Zealand to 13 for two in the third over.

As the Black Caps fought to keep up with the necessary run rate, England took the lead with two early wickets.

Conway and Mitchell were able to find the boundaries on and off, but the Kiwis required more to launch a real fight against their opposition.

Conway's courageous endeavor was cut short as he was stumped by Jos Buttler. Moeen Ali, an all-rounder, had earlier led England to 166 for four with an unbeaten 37-ball 51.

After three quiet overs, opener Jos Buttler (29) smacked Trent Boult for two consecutive boundaries, one straight down the ground and the other into the covers.

Boult next pitched one too short, which sailed past Buttler and wicketkeeper Devon Conway for another boundary and an extra run via a wide.

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson made a bowling adjustment, and it paid off right away when he took a brilliant diving catch at mid-off off Adam Milne's first delivery, marking the end of Bairstow's time in the middle.

Milne's over not only provided the Kiwis their first success, but it also halted the flow of runs, as England concluded the power play with a score of 40 for one.