NZ vs WI 2nd T20I 2025: New Zealand beat West Indies by 3 runs in last-over thriller
India and Australia clash in the 4th T20I at Carrara Oval, Queensland, with the five-match series finely balanced at 1-1 after thrilling performances from both sides.
New Zealand clinched a nail-biting 3-run victory over West Indies in the 2nd T20I at home, taking a 1–0 lead in the series. Batting first, the Kiwis posted a formidable 207/5 in 20 overs, powered by a blistering knock from Mark Chapman. The left-hander played one of his finest T20I innings, smashing 78 off just 28 balls, laced with six fours and seven towering sixes, ensuring New Zealand finished with momentum after early hiccups.
Earlier, Tim Robinson’s 39 off 25 and Daryl Mitchell’s unbeaten 28 off 14 helped steady the innings following early dismissals. West Indies’ bowlers struggled to contain runs, with only Matthew Forde (1/17) and Roston Chase (2/33) maintaining control. Despite leaking 11 wides, the visitors managed to pick wickets at regular intervals, but New Zealand’s lower order ensured the total crossed the 200-mark with some late fireworks from captain Mitchell Santner (18* off 8).
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Chasing 208, the West Indies faced early setbacks as Brandon King fell for a duck and Shai Hope (24) struggled to build momentum. Alick Athanaze (33 off 25) and Jason Holder (16 off 8) tried to revive the innings, but the required rate kept climbing. When Powell arrived, the game shifted gears. The Windies skipper launched a brutal counterattack, blasting 45 from 16 balls, including six massive sixes, keeping his side in the hunt till the final over.
Santner and Sodhi Seal It for New Zealand
Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi turned the match around with three wickets each, halting the Windies charge just in time. Santner’s tight final overs and Sodhi’s mid-innings breakthroughs proved crucial as the visitors finished at 204/8, just three runs short. Jacob Duffy’s early dismissal of King and Jamieson’s crucial breakthrough of Powell in the 19th over sealed the win in dramatic fashion.
Romario Shepherd’s explosive 34 off 16 and Matthew Forde’s late cameo of 29* nearly stole the game, but New Zealand’s composure under pressure prevailed. With this victory, the hosts took a 1–0 lead in the series and will look to maintain their dominance in the upcoming final T20I. The match will be remembered for Chapman’s heroics and the thrilling finale that kept fans on the edge until the very last ball.
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