Watch: West Indies stun New Zealand in last-over thriller at Women's T20 World Cup 2026

During both sides’ opening clash of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 between West Indies and New Zealand at Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester, the Hayley Matthews-led side snatched the last-over victory by seven wickets in the 163-run chase as Shermaine Campbelle remained unbeaten on 90 runs off 62 balls.  

The pressure was immense on both sides when the West Indies side needed four runs in the last over of the contest as Sophie Devine came to bowl. The defending champions were sloppy in the fielding department.

Last-over drama: West Indies snatch victory with one ball to spare

The first ball from Devine offered some width outside the off stump to Campbelle, who late cut the ball through the backward point and completed the double. The White Ferns brought seven of their fielders inside the ring, as long-on and deep mid-wicket were the only ones outside the circle.

Watch last-over drama of WI vs NZ in WT20 WC 2026- 

The second ball of the over was a yorker at the stumps as Campbelle squeezed it back to the pacer before taking the single on the third ball to level the scores.

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Jahzara Claxton swung his bat on the fourth delivery as she reached out to the delivery but was beaten on the edge. However, on the fifth delivery, they got a single on leg bye and earned the famous victory over the defending champions to kickstart their campaign. The entire camp looked emotional and was in tears.

Match summary: Alleyne's 4-fer sets up 163-chase, Campbelle finishes the job

New Zealand, batting first, posted a decent score of 162 runs for the loss of six wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Their wicket-keeper opening batter, Isabella Gaze, smashed 39 runs off 29 balls with the help of eight boundaries at a strike rate of 134.48, besides getting contributions from Brooke Halliday’s 40 runs. 

Later in the innings, Maddy Green gave them the vital aggression towards the back end of the innings by remaining unbeaten on 35 runs off 22 balls with the help of four boundaries and one six at a strike rate of 160.

See Also: New Zealand Women's T20 World Cup 2026 preview: Can experienced stars defend their crown?

The West Indies were behind in the chase for a long time. Matthews played a decent knock of 48 runs. But it was Campbelle’s 90 runs, shouldering on seven boundaries and three sixes, at a strike rate of 145.16, that took them over the line by seven wickets.

"I just want to go there and back myself. I talk to myself a lot, so I said I’m gonna do this for my team. And, tonight I came through and I did it. I’m a believer and I know that God got me, and I always pray to him. So definitely, He got me and I love Lord Jesus so much." Campbelle expressed after winning the 'Player of the Match' award. 

Fan reactions: Cricket Twitter goes wild as West Indies pull off stunning heist

The fans on Cricket Twitter have gone wild as West Indies pulled off a stunning win over the Kiwis in the T20 World Cup 2026 clash in Manchester-

Follow the live scorecard of West Indies vs New Zealand in Women's T20 World Cup 2026- 

West Indies- 163/3 (Shemaine Campbelle 90*, Hayley Matthews 48, Jess Kerr 2/17) beat New Zealand 162/6 (Brooke Halliday 40, Aaliyah Alleyne 4/27) by 7-wickets.