New Zealand clinched a decisive eight-wicket victory over the West Indies in the final T20 international on November 12, securing a series win in front of a lively crowd at the University Oval in Dunedin. Unlike the closely contested earlier matches in the five-game series, this encounter was one-sided, marking an anticlimactic conclusion to what had been a fiercely competitive battle between the two teams. The West Indies, needing a win to level the series after a rain-affected fourth game, struggled from the outset. They lost four wickets during the powerplay and were reeling at 48-5 before Roston Chase and Jason Holder staged a brief recovery with a 42-run partnership. However, their efforts were insufficient as the team was eventually bowled out for 140, thanks to a late flourish from Romario Shepherd, who scored 36 off 22 balls. Jacob Duffy was the standout bowler for New Zealand, claiming 4-35. In response, the Black Caps chased down the target with ease, powered by Devon Conway’s 47 and Tim Robinson’s 45, sealing the win in just 16 overs. West Indies captain Shai Hope acknowledged his team’s shortcomings, particularly in the powerplay, but praised the lower-order resilience. He emphasized the need for better mental preparation ahead of the upcoming One Day International series, which begins on Saturday.
