ICC World Cup T20: New Zealand beat England through D/L method

Chittagong, March 22 (IANS) New Zealand beat England by nine runs via the Duckworth-Lewis method in their opening World Twenty20 game at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium here Saturday.

New Zealand were 52 for one in 5.2 overs in response to England’s 172 for six when rain stopped play. Intermittent showers thereafter forced the umpire to call off the Super-10 match.

A minimum five overs needed to be bowled in the New Zealand innings for the Duckworth-Lewis method to come into picture.

New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum looked in ominous touch, smashing 16 off six balls before the rain came. Kane Williamson had made 24 off 17.

Earlier, significant contributions from Michael Lumb (33), Moeen Ali (36) and Jos Butler (32) took England to a formidable target. Ravi Bopara remained unbeaten on 24 off 19.