Moeen Ali smashed an unbeaten 51 to take England to a challenging 166 for four in the first semi-final of the Twenty20 World Cup against New Zealand on Wednesday.
England bowled their openers, including Jos Buttler, lbw for 29 runs off Ish Sodhi, after Kiwi captain Kane Williamson invited to bat first after winning the toss in Abu Dhabi.
But Moeen bounced back with his 37-ball knock and shared a crucial 63-run partnership with David Malan, who scored 41 runs for the third wicket.
Fast bowlers Tim Southee and Trent Boult held a tight grip in the first three overs before Butler hit two consecutive boundaries.
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Jonny Bairstow also hit two boundaries but did not look comfortable after being promoted to the opening spot in place of injured Jason Roy.
Adam Milne smashed fellow pacer Boult from one end to break through the break as he dismissed Bairstow for 13 off 17 balls and Williamson took a quick catch at mid-off.
The in-form butler tried to rebuild, but an attempt to reverse sweep leg-spinner Ish Sodhi got him out lbw for 29 off 24 balls.
The opener, who overtook Pakistan’s Babar Azam as the leading batsman in the tournament with 269 runs, reviewed the call, but replays suggested the ball hit his off-stump.
Left-arm Malan, who was dismissed for 10 by wicketkeeper Devon Conway off Jimmy Neesham, hit Southee for the first six of the innings in the 16th over, but was caught on the next ball.
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But Moeen launches an attack as he hits Sodhi for a six and then hits Milne over the fence for two hits.
Liam Livingstone made 17 off 10 balls before leaving and Moeen hit a boundary off Neesham to complete his maiden half-century of the tournament.
The winner will face either Australia or Pakistan in Sunday’s final in Dubai.
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