The 2nd T20 International of New Zealand vs West Indies at Eden Park, Auckland, turned into an absolute thriller as the Blackcaps edged past the Caribbean side by just 3 runs, leveling the five-match series 1-1. It was a contest full of fireworks, breathtaking power-hitting, and nail-biting drama that kept fans on their feet until the final ball.
After being put into bat, New Zealand made a solid start despite . Opener Tim Robinson set the tone with a quick-fire 39 off 25 balls, smashing five fours and one six. His aggressive intent laid the foundation for the innings. Devon Conway added 16 runs , but the real game-changer came when Mark Chapman walked to the crease.
Chapman played one of the most destructive innings in recent T20I memory, hammering 78 runs off just 28 balls, which included 7 massive sixes and 6 boundaries. His fearless hitting turned the momentum completely in New Zealand’s favor. Chapman fifty came in only 19 deliveries, sending the Eden Park crowd into a frenzy. His partnership with Daryl Mitchell (28 off 14) accelerated the run rate beyond nine an over.
Mitchell Santner played a handy cameo of 18 not out off 8 balls, guiding New Zealand to a formidable total of 207/5 in 20 overs.
Roston Chase is stand out bowler for West Indies took 2/33 in 4 overs while Matthew Forde, Romario shepherd and Jason Holder get one wicket each.
Chasing 208 , West Indies innings began with shaky notes when Brendon king goes without scoring ,Shai Hope (26 off 24) and Alick Athanaze (33 off 25) tried to rebuild the innings with a 49-run stand, but once they fell to New Zealand’s spin duo, the chase began to crumble.
Leg-spinner Ish Sodhi and left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner completely turned the game around in the middle overs. They combined to take 6 wickets, with Sodhi finishing on 3/39 and Santner on 3/31, putting the visitors in deep trouble at 93/6 in 13 overs.
However, the West Indies lower order refused to surrender. Rovman Powell and Romario Shepherd reignited hopes with a stunning counterattack. Powell’s aggressive knock of 45 runs off just 16 balls featured 6 sixes and one four, while Shepherd added a fiery 34 off 16 balls.Their partnership brought the equation down to just 16 needed off the final over.Despite Matthew Forde’s unbeaten 29 off 13 balls, the West Indies fell short by a mere 3 runs, ending at 204/8.
Mitchell Santner is pick of the bowler for New Zealand took 3/31 in 4 overs also Ish Sodhi get 3 wickets while Kyle Jamieson and Jacob Duffy chipped with one wicket each.
New Zealand vs West Indies match summary
Toss: West Indies won the toss and Opted to bowl first
New Zealand innings: 207/5 in 20 overs
Top performer: Mark Chapman 78 off 28 deliveries , Roston Chase 2/33 in 4 overs
West Indies innings: 204/8 in 20 overs
To performer: Rovman Powell 45 off 16 balls , Mitchell Santner 3/31 in 4 overs
Result: New Zealand won by 3 wickets level the series 1-1 in five matches series
Player of the match: Mark Chapman 78 off 28 deliveries.