Auckland, November 5, 2025 — Cricket fans witnessed a breathtaking encounter at Eden Park as the West Indies edged New Zealand by seven runs in the opening T20 International of their five-match series. It was a night of drama, late twists, and unforgettable performances, marking a perfect start to what promises to be an exciting series.
Despite setting what seemed like a modest target of 164 runs, the West Indies bowlers held their nerves under intense pressure, securing a narrow yet crucial win over the home side. New Zealand’s captain Mitchell Santner nearly pulled off a miracle with a stunning unbeaten half-century, but his heroics fell just short as the hosts ran out of overs.
A Confident Start by West Indies
After losing the toss and being asked to bat first, the West Indies got off to a strong yet cautious start. Openers Shai Hope and Brandon King began steadily, respecting the movement offered by the Auckland surface under lights. New Zealand’s bowlers, especially Lockie Ferguson and Ben Sears, kept things tight early on, but Hope’s timing and composure soon began to turn the tide.
Hope anchored the innings brilliantly, crafting a fluent 53 off 39 balls, decorated with five boundaries and two towering sixes. His partnership of 68 runs with Rovman Powell, who smashed a quickfire 33 off 23 balls, gave West Indies the foundation they needed for a competitive total.
Middle-order contributions from Nicholas Pooran (21) and Roston Chase (19 not out) ensured that the visitors ended with a respectable 164 for 6 in their allotted 20 overs. While the total was not massive by modern T20 standards, the West Indies knew that disciplined bowling could make it a challenging chase under lights.
New Zealand’s Bowling Effort
The Kiwi bowlers displayed fine control through most of the innings. Mitchell Santner, captaining the side, led from the front with 2 wickets for 25 runs, while pacer Ben Sears impressed with 2 for 28.
Despite their efforts, a few expensive overs at the death allowed the West Indies to reach a defendable total. The decision to rest senior pacer Trent Boult for the opening match may have slightly hurt New Zealand’s bowling attack, especially in the final overs where experience could have made the difference.
New Zealand’s Chase Falters Early
Chasing 165 was always within reach for a side like New Zealand, but the hosts started poorly. The West Indies struck early, removing Finn Allen for just 9 runs after he tried to go big too early. Veteran bowler Jason Holder provided the early breakthrough, setting the tone for the innings.
Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra attempted to rebuild, but the disciplined West Indies attack kept applying pressure. Seamer Jayden Seales bowled an exceptional spell, removing Conway for 22 and later trapping Daryl Mitchell with a sharp delivery that nipped back in. The Kiwis slipped from 65 for 2 to 93 for 7, losing five wickets in a span of just 28 runs.
Santner’s Lone Battle
When all seemed lost, Mitchell Santner produced a captain’s knock that nearly turned the game around. Walking in at 73 for 6, he took charge of the chase with fearless batting and tactical awareness. Santner rotated the strike smartly and punished every loose ball, bringing up his half-century off just 27 balls.
His unbeaten 55 off 28 deliveries included four sixes and three fours, giving the home fans hope of an impossible comeback. The left-hander’s calmness under pressure was commendable, and with 18 runs needed off the final over, New Zealand still had a slim chance.
However, Romario Shepherd held his nerve in the last over, conceding only 10 runs and sealing victory for the West Indies. The Kiwis finished at 157 for 9, agonizingly short by seven runs.
West Indies Bowlers Shine
It was the West Indies’ bowling unit that stole the spotlight. Roston Chase was named Player of the Match for his brilliant spell of 3 for 26, breaking New Zealand’s middle order just when the hosts were building partnerships. His control and variations frustrated the Kiwi batters, while Jayden Seales’ 3 for 32 added further pressure.
Captain Shai Hope praised his bowlers after the win, saying,
“We knew 160-plus could be competitive if we bowled in the right areas. The boys showed heart, especially in the final overs. Winning here in Auckland is never easy.”
A Tough Night for the Hosts
For New Zealand, the loss was disappointing, especially given their strong position at the halfway stage of the chase. The absence of injured opener Tim Seifert and senior players like Kane Williamson was felt deeply, as the middle order lacked stability.
Apart from Santner, no batter could cross 30 runs — a worrying sign for the team ahead of the remaining matches. Glenn Phillips looked dangerous briefly but fell to a stunning catch in the deep by Brandon King.
New Zealand captain Santner, though proud of his fight, admitted his side needed to be better under pressure.
“It was a close game, but we lost too many wickets in the middle overs. The West Indies bowled really well. We’ll learn from this and come back stronger in the next match.”
Turning Points of the Match
- Chase’s Double Strike: Roston Chase removed Ravindra and Phillips in one over, swinging momentum back toward the visitors.
- Seales’ Early Breakthroughs: His dismissals of Conway and Mitchell broke the spine of New Zealand’s batting order.
- Santner’s Heroics: His brilliant innings kept the hosts alive until the last over, providing thrilling entertainment for the fans.
- Shepherd’s Last Over: The composed death bowling from Shepherd under intense pressure sealed the victory.
Series Implications
With this win, the West Indies take a 1-0 lead in the five-match T20 series. The victory is significant for a team looking to rebuild confidence ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup. The Caribbean side has struggled with inconsistency in recent years, but this result shows signs of renewed focus and teamwork.
For New Zealand, the defeat raises questions about their middle-order depth and ability to handle spin on slower pitches. However, with several experienced players likely to return for the remaining games, they remain strong contenders to bounce back.
What’s Next
The second T20 International will also be played at Eden Park tomorrow before the series moves to Wellington. Both sides are expected to make changes — the West Indies may rotate their bowlers, while New Zealand could bring in fresh faces to strengthen their batting lineup.
Fans can expect another high-scoring thriller as both teams look to assert dominance in this tightly contested series.
Match Summary
West Indies: 164/6 (Shai Hope 53, Rovman Powell 33; Mitchell Santner 2/25, Ben Sears 2/28)
New Zealand: 157/9 (Mitchell Santner 55*, Devon Conway 22; Roston Chase 3/26, Jayden Seales 3/32)
Result: West Indies won by 7 runs
Player of the Match: Roston Chase (West Indies)
Series: West Indies lead 1–0 (five-match series)
Conclusion
The 1st T20I between West Indies and New Zealand was a thrilling display of modern cricket — where momentum shifted back and forth, and one player’s brilliance almost turned defeat into victory. For West Indies, this win boosts confidence and sets the tone for the rest of the series.
For New Zealand, it’s a reminder that T20 cricket is unforgiving — one over, one dropped catch, or one mistimed shot can change everything.
As the teams gear up for the second match, fans around the world eagerly await another night of fireworks, drama, and cricketing brilliance.
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M.aslam says: 
