204/8 (20.0)
CR : 10.20
207/5 (20.0)
CR : 10.35
New Zealand won by 3 runs 🏆
Player of the Match
Mark Chapman
78(28)
Mark Chapman (POTM): "Yeah, it’s always nice to connect a few out of the middle. Obviously, I wasn’t the only one today—there were some valuable contributions all around. I thought Devon and Robbo (Robinson) did a fantastic job negotiating the new ball; it looked quite tricky early on.
Yeah, I guess it was about trying to throw a few punches and take the game on a bit more. With the smaller boundaries here, you’ve got to play a more fearless brand of cricket. So yeah, I’m just glad it came off today.
I mean, with the West Indies boys, they’re so powerful — they’re never really out of the game. So it was amazing to see the boys hold their nerve at the end. I thought we had a brilliant powerplay to start with, and the spinners were outstanding through the middle overs."
Yeah, I guess it was about trying to throw a few punches and take the game on a bit more. With the smaller boundaries here, you’ve got to play a more fearless brand of cricket. So yeah, I’m just glad it came off today.
I mean, with the West Indies boys, they’re so powerful — they’re never really out of the game. So it was amazing to see the boys hold their nerve at the end. I thought we had a brilliant powerplay to start with, and the spinners were outstanding through the middle overs."
Shai Hope (West Indies Captain): "Ahh..the nerves. Well, too close. We didn't cross the line this time. Credit must be given to Chapman for the way he batted and took the game away from us. Great fight there from Rovman, Shepherd and Forde but it wasn't meant to be.
We thought a couple of sixes would bring down the equation. It's always the positive energy. We didn't think at any stage that we were out of this game.
The way Forde was going, we just felt it was important to utilize him. It was tough to get him. Akeal, it was pretty difficult to bring him in at that stage. Just went with the situation."
We thought a couple of sixes would bring down the equation. It's always the positive energy. We didn't think at any stage that we were out of this game.
The way Forde was going, we just felt it was important to utilize him. It was tough to get him. Akeal, it was pretty difficult to bring him in at that stage. Just went with the situation."
Mitchell Santner (New Zealand Captain): "It got really close! But credit to the West Indies — they showed once again that they’re never out of the game, especially with the kind of power they possess. The conditions got a bit dewy toward the end, and the cutters began to skid on a little.
With the hitting ability their batters have, you’ve got to keep mixing it up — because if they know what’s coming, the ball’s probably going out of the ground. I thought the boys held their nerve brilliantly. Using the bumpers at the death was outstanding, and KJ did a great job closing it out after a tough start to the over. Against the West Indies, you’re never safe until the final ball, so it’s definitely a satisfying win in the end.
Mark Chapman showed great intent right from the start — taking quick singles, using his feet, and keeping the scoreboard ticking. Once he got in, he just went into overdrive. He’s got that license to keep going, and that’s exactly what he did. That passage of play completely turned the game in our favour — scoring 70 off just 20 balls is an incredible effort.
I think if you look at the two games, different guys have stepped up at different times. Obviously, Chappie was outstanding today. The seamers, too, handled the pressure really well. You put yourself in those tough situations, and that’s how you learn. Bowling at Eden Park against hitters like Powell and Shepherd — it doesn’t get much tougher than that. So credit to the boys — especially Foulkesy, Duffy, and KJ — for closing it out brilliantly. It really doesn’t get any harder than that."
With the hitting ability their batters have, you’ve got to keep mixing it up — because if they know what’s coming, the ball’s probably going out of the ground. I thought the boys held their nerve brilliantly. Using the bumpers at the death was outstanding, and KJ did a great job closing it out after a tough start to the over. Against the West Indies, you’re never safe until the final ball, so it’s definitely a satisfying win in the end.
Mark Chapman showed great intent right from the start — taking quick singles, using his feet, and keeping the scoreboard ticking. Once he got in, he just went into overdrive. He’s got that license to keep going, and that’s exactly what he did. That passage of play completely turned the game in our favour — scoring 70 off just 20 balls is an incredible effort.
I think if you look at the two games, different guys have stepped up at different times. Obviously, Chappie was outstanding today. The seamers, too, handled the pressure really well. You put yourself in those tough situations, and that’s how you learn. Bowling at Eden Park against hitters like Powell and Shepherd — it doesn’t get much tougher than that. So credit to the boys — especially Foulkesy, Duffy, and KJ — for closing it out brilliantly. It really doesn’t get any harder than that."
Most Runs Scored Between16–20 Overs in T20I Run Chases (where ball-by-ball data available):
87/2 – West Indies vs New Zealand, Auckland, 2025, TONIGHT*
86/1 – England vs West Indies, St George’s, 2023
84/1 – Bulgaria vs Serbia, Sofia, 2022
87/2 – West Indies vs New Zealand, Auckland, 2025, TONIGHT*
86/1 – England vs West Indies, St George’s, 2023
84/1 – Bulgaria vs Serbia, Sofia, 2022
Highest Innings Totals in a T20I Run Chase with No Individual 50+ Scores (Full-Member Teams):
208/6 - India vs New Zealand, Hamilton, 2019
204/8 - West Indies vs New Zealand, Auckland, 2025, Tonight*
200/6 - England vs India, Durban, 2007
208/6 - India vs New Zealand, Hamilton, 2019
204/8 - West Indies vs New Zealand, Auckland, 2025, Tonight*
200/6 - England vs India, Durban, 2007
Highest Innings Totals for West Indies Without an Individual 50+ Score in T20Is:
220/8 vs South Africa, Johannesburg, 2023
205/9 vs Australia, Basseterre, 2025
204/8 vs New Zealand, Auckland, 2025, TONIGHT*
220/8 vs South Africa, Johannesburg, 2023
205/9 vs Australia, Basseterre, 2025
204/8 vs New Zealand, Auckland, 2025, TONIGHT*
Most 6s for West Indies in T20Is:
149 - Nicholas Pooran
137 - Rovman Powell*
136 - Evin Lewis
149 - Nicholas Pooran
137 - Rovman Powell*
136 - Evin Lewis
Two 40+ Partnerships for 7th wicket or lower in a T20I Innings:
South Africa vs Pakistan, Lahore, 2021
Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka, Sylhet, 2024
West Indies vs New Zealand, Auckland, 2025, TONIGHT*
South Africa vs Pakistan, Lahore, 2021
Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka, Sylhet, 2024
West Indies vs New Zealand, Auckland, 2025, TONIGHT*
NUMBERS GAME: For only the second time in T20I history, New Zealand's spinners have taken 6 or more wickets in an innings at home. Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi picked up 3 wickets each tonight. The only previous instance of the Kiwis' spinners taking 6 wickets at home was against Bangladesh in Mount Maunganui in 2017, with Sodhi picking up 3, Kane Williamson taking 2 and Santner grabbing one.
Phew!!! Another nail-biting contest and it's New Zealand who emerge victorious tonight. The action now moves to Nelson for the third T20I, which will be played on Sunday (November 9). Do join us for that.
It's time for us to wrap up our coverage of this game. This is Akshay Bhide, signing off, on behalf of my co-commentator Deepak Prakash, scorer Raju Khariya and statistician Aman. Until next time, cheers and good bye.
It's time for us to wrap up our coverage of this game. This is Akshay Bhide, signing off, on behalf of my co-commentator Deepak Prakash, scorer Raju Khariya and statistician Aman. Until next time, cheers and good bye.