The West Indies’ T20 International series against New Zealand concluded on a disappointing note on November 13, 2025, as the visitors delivered their most lackluster performance in the decisive fifth match. Suffering an eight-wicket defeat, the Caribbean side handed the series victory to the Black Caps without much resistance. This loss underscored the persistent issues that have haunted the West Indies throughout the competition, particularly their top-order batting collapse, which proved fatal in the final game. Captain Shai Hope identified the team’s inability to adapt as the primary reason for their downfall. ‘The power play has been our Achilles heel for this series,’ Hope remarked. ‘As batters, we failed to assess and adapt as quickly as needed.’ Despite the criticism, Hope praised the lower-order batsmen for their resilience, acknowledging their efforts to salvage difficult situations. He emphasized the need for smarter, more assertive batting to disrupt the opposition’s bowlers. ‘We need to be more precise with our stroke play and not allow good bowlers to settle,’ he explained. Hope also highlighted the growing consistency of all-rounder Romario Shepherd, whose crucial contributions with the ball were instrumental in the team’s solitary series win. As the West Indies shift their focus to the upcoming ODI series, Hope stressed that immediate improvements are essential to turn their fortunes around.
Hope calls for urgent fix of Windies’ powerplay failures: It’s been our Achilles heel
