Auckland, Nov 6 (NationPress) The second T20I match between New Zealand and the West Indies was an exhilarating showdown, culminating in a nail-biting three-run victory for the home team, thus leveling the series at Eden Park on Wednesday.

After being sent in to bat, New Zealand posted an impressive total of 207-5 in their 20 overs, largely thanks to Mark Chapman’s explosive innings of 78 runs off just 28 balls.

In their chase for 208, the West Indies found themselves in a precarious position at 93/6. However, Rovman Powell, Romario Shepherd, and Matthew Forde mounted a valiant effort. With only 20 runs needed from 12 balls, the West Indies appeared poised for victory, especially after Kyle Jamieson overstepped in the final over, leaving them with a manageable seven runs to win off four balls. Yet, Jamieson remained calm under pressure, using his slower delivery to secure a win despite some hitable balls.

Earlier, the West Indies faced a sluggish start, with Jacob Duffy bowling nine consecutive dot balls. Shai Hope struggled to find rhythm, and after Roston Chase was dismissed at 93 in the 13th over, the target seemed daunting, with Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi performing admirably during that phase.

However, Powell and Shepherd struck sixes with ease, bringing the match closer. At one moment, they hit five sixes in six balls, putting New Zealand on the back foot, but the hosts managed to maintain their composure.

Batting first, Tim Robinson and Devon Conway provided a solid opening partnership of 55 runs, but the duo fell in successive overs to Forde and Shepherd.

Rachin Ravindra struggled once more, but Chapman injected energy into the middle overs, leaving the bowlers pondering their strategies. Daryl Mitchell and Santner contributed crucial runs, pushing the Kiwis past 200.

The West Indies faced an early setback in their chase as Brandon King was out in the first over yet again. Alick Athanaze and Hope managed to add 49 runs for the second wicket, but the Kiwis consistently took wickets, making it difficult for the visitors to gain any momentum.

At one juncture, the West Indies needed 100 runs off 35 deliveries, and the BlackCaps appeared to be in control. However, it was Powell and Shepherd’s heroics that reignited their hopes.

Powell smashed an incredible six sixes and a four, concluding his innings with 45 runs off just 16 balls, while Shepherd contributed 34 runs in as many balls, including four sixes and a four.

Forde joined Powell and took command, as the pair brought the game down to 16 runs needed from the last six balls. A couple of boundaries in the first three balls narrowed the target, but Jamieson dismissed Powell on the fourth delivery of the final over, only conceding two runs off the last two balls, turning the tide in favor of the Kiwis.

It was yet another thrilling encounter between these two teams. The last ball had fans from both sides holding their breath, as a six would have sealed the win for the West Indies, while a four would have tied the match.

Ultimately, New Zealand endured the late pressure and managed to level the five-match series 1-1.

Brief Scores: New Zealand 207-5 in 20 overs (Mark Chapman 78, Tim Robinson 39; Roston Chase 2-33, Matthew Forde 1-17) defeated West Indies 204-8 in 20 overs (Rovman Powell 45, Romario Shepherd 34; Mitchell Santner 3-31, Ish Sodhi 3-39) by three runs.