NELSON, New Zealand — For the second consecutive match, the West Indies saw victory slip through their fingers at the death as New Zealand held firm to snatch a nine-run win in another riveting T20 International at Saxton Oval on Sunday.
Despite a spirited late charge led by Romario Shepherd and Shamar Springer, the Caribbean side fell agonizingly short, bowled out for 168 off the penultimate ball while chasing 177 for nine, handing the hosts a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.
Black Caps blaze early, then falter
New Zealand, sent in to bat, appeared poised for a total beyond 200 after a blistering start spearheaded by Devon Conway, whose fluent 56 from 34 balls included six fours and two sixes. He combined in brisk stands with Tim Robinson and Rachin Ravindra, propelling the Black Caps to a commanding 97 for one in the 11th over.
But once Shepherd removed Ravindra for 26, the momentum shifted. Conway was later cut down by a brilliant direct hit from Alick Athanaze at deep midwicket, before Michael Bracewell was run out soon after — two moments that derailed the innings.
Daryl Mitchell offered late resistance, hammering 41 from 24 deliveries with three sixes and two fours, yet the Kiwis lost their grip in the final overs, managing only 33 runs for five wickets.
Matthew Forde shone with the ball for the West Indies, taking 2 for 20 from four overs, while Jason Holder supported with 2 for 31 as the visitors clawed back momentum.
Early collapse rocks West Indies chase
The West Indies began their pursuit brightly when openers Amir Jangoo and Alick Athanaze carved Kyle Jamieson for three boundaries in the opening over worth 13 runs. But the optimism was short-lived.
Jangoo chopped the first ball of Jacob Duffy’s next over onto his stumps, and captain Shai Hope followed four balls later, mistiming a pull to deep backward square — leaving the score at 15 for two.
Athanaze and Ackeem Auguste rebuilt with a steady 38-run stand, but the middle order imploded soon after. Auguste, dropped on 19, edged spinner Ish Sodhi to the keeper for 31, and Sherfane Rutherford’s lean run continued with just a single before he miscued Michael Bracewell to short third man.
When Rovman Powell fell attempting a big heave at Sodhi and Auguste was run out in casual fashion, the Windies crashed to 68 for six. The slide continued as Holder (3) nicked off to Mitchell Santner, and Forde was trapped lbw by Sodhi, leaving the visitors reeling at 88 for eight.
Late surge rekindles hope
From that desperate position emerged a breathtaking fightback. Shepherd and Springer mounted a fearless 78-run partnership in just over six overs, reigniting belief in the Windies camp.
Shepherd launched his counterattack by hammering Duffy for a six and four in the 15th over, before Springer joined the assault, dispatching Jamieson for back-to-back boundaries and following up with a four and six off James Neesham. Shepherd capped the over by clubbing Neesham over fine leg for six, reducing the equation to a manageable 24 needed from the final two overs.
The tension peaked in Duffy’s penultimate over when Shepherd drilled consecutive balls for four and six. But Duffy had the final say — diving full stretch to his left to pull off a stunning catch that removed Springer for a valiant 39 off 20 balls, leaving the Windies at 166 for nine.
Deja vu in the final over
With Shepherd still at the crease on 49, the Windies required 12 runs from the last over — a mirror of their previous heartbreak. But just as he had done in the second T20I, Jamieson delivered a nerveless finish, conceding only two runs and claiming Shepherd’s wicket off the penultimate delivery to seal victory.
Sodhi earned Player of the Match honors for his 3 for 34, while Duffy complemented with 3 for 36 as New Zealand once again proved steadier under pressure.
Resilient but still chasing consistency
For the West Indies, the loss will sting — not only for how close they came, but for how familiar the ending felt. Their lower-order courage continues to shine, yet top-order frailty remains their Achilles’ heel. With two matches left, the Caribbean side must find the balance between aggression and stability if they are to square the series.
