When was the last time England made it feel like this?
They beat one of the world’s best teams. They pulled victory back from the edge. Young players stood tall under pressure and played without fear.
Will Jacks and Rehan Ahmed led England to a thrilling T20 World Cup win over New Zealand in Colombo. The energy felt familiar. It felt like the early days of Bazball.
Both players made their Test debuts during the 2022 tour of Pakistan. That was when England, under Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum, played bold and fearless cricket.
Jacks took six wickets in his first Test. Ahmed claimed five and became England’s youngest men’s Test cricketer. Now, three and a half years later, they delivered again on the global stage.
England needed 43 runs from 19 balls. Pressure was high. Ahmed walked in and launched his second ball for six over long-on. The crowd came alive. Momentum shifted.
Jacks followed with his own big hit off Glenn Phillips and added two crisp boundaries. Ahmed sealed the win by smashing Mitchell Santner over long-off.
From the brink of defeat, England secured a fifth straight victory.
Ahmed later revealed that McCullum sent a message through the dressing room. He told him to “bat like Virender Sehwag.” The message was simple: attack and trust your instincts.
For a while, England had lost that spark. Critics questioned their identity. Some called them “weak” after a difficult winter.
Now, something feels different.
This team plays under the leadership of Harry Brook in white-ball cricket. Jacks said the squad feels relaxed and confident. He added that the environment is positive and full of belief.
The win also brought back memories of other famous moments. England once conceded 553 runs and still beat New Zealand. They chased 378 against India. They won on flat pitches where results seemed unlikely.
This latest victory showed that England can still find a way when it matters most.
The good times may not be fully back yet. But in Colombo, they felt closer than they have in a long while.
