At Eden Park today, West Indies’ late onslaught couldn’t prevent defeat in a nail-biting finish. Despite Rovman Powell’s fiery 45 off just 16 balls, the visitors fell short by 3 runs. With this victory, New Zealand leveled the three-match T20I series 1–1.
Chasing a daunting target of 207, West Indies needed 114 runs from the last 7 overs with only 4 wickets in hand. The Caribbean batters sparked excitement by launching a flurry of fours and sixes, taking the match down to the wire — but ultimately couldn’t cross the line.
On Thursday (November 6), West Indies were bowled out for 204 runs while chasing 207, handing New Zealand a narrow 3-run win to square the series.
In the final over, the drama peaked — Powell, who had been smashing the bowlers mercilessly, hit a boundary off the first ball but was caught out right after a free hit, swinging the momentum back to New Zealand. West Indies needed 16 off the last over and then 7 off the final four balls. When the equation came down to 5 needed off the last delivery, Matthew Forde could manage only a single, leaving the visitors heartbroken.
Earlier, New Zealand’s innings was powered by Mark Chapman’s explosive 78 off 28 balls, decorated with seven sixes and six fours, helping the hosts post a formidable total of 207.
After losing the first match, New Zealand bounced back in style. The final match on November 9 will now be the series decider.
