West Indies delivered a powerful all-round performance to defeat New Zealand by 6 wickets with 2.2 overs remaining in the 25th match of the T10 World Cup 2026, showcasing their explosive batting depth and disciplined bowling at Hagley Oval.
Batting first, New Zealand posted 113/8 in 12 overs, but the innings never fully gained momentum. Early setbacks saw Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra depart cheaply, leaving the hosts under pressure. Glenn Phillips (33 off 15 balls) and James Neesham (27 off 10) provided a late surge with aggressive stroke play, lifting New Zealand to a competitive total. However, the innings was repeatedly stalled by crucial breakthroughs from the West Indies bowlers.
The standout with the ball was Kyle Mayers, who delivered a match-winning spell of 3/22, removing key middle-order batters and earning the Man of the Match award. Support came from Alzarri Joseph and Jason Holder, who maintained pressure during the crucial overs.
In reply, West Indies chased with authority, racing to 114/4 in just 7.4 overs. The chase was anchored by a breathtaking knock from Shimron Hetmyer, who smashed 38 off just 12 balls at a staggering strike rate, turning the contest decisively in West Indies’ favor. Strong contributions from Brandon King (23) and Nicholas Pooran (22) ensured the target was never out of reach, while Rovman Powell and Romario Shepherd calmly finished the job.
Despite efforts from New Zealand’s bowlers, including Mitchell Santner and Adam Milne, the West Indies batting firepower proved too strong. This convincing win kept West Indies firmly in contention in Group A, while New Zealand were left to reflect on missed opportunities with both bat and ball.
The match once again underlined the West Indies’ reputation as one of the most dangerous teams in the T10 format—capable of changing games in a matter of overs with sheer power and intent.