Why WI Lost to NZ in the 2nd T20I of West Indies tour of New Zealand 2025: 3 Key Reasons Behind the Defeat

There is often some level of drama to be found in Cricket matches played in Auckland; however, on this occasion, the drama was more akin to “edge-of-the-seat” than most. The West Indies came agonizingly close to pulling off an incredible victory, ultimately falling just short of doing so, when New Zealand‘s steady hand (and that of one player’s unrelenting brilliance) proved to be the deciding factor for the evening.

What started out as a wild ride of a chase eventually turned into heartbreak for Shai Hope’s team, as the flair of the West Indies clashed headlong with the precision of the New Zealanders in what could only be described as a true test of the sport that included big sixes and disastrous overthrows.

The Powerplay That Never Took Off

West Indies began losing the game before this chase even felt like a chase. When Brandon King walked off after being out on the first ball of the innings, the mood was already very bad. Momentum is the oxygen of T20 cricket, and by the end of the first six overs, West Indies were gasping for it. At the end of the Powerplay, the home team had crawled to 47/2 with Hope and Athanaze trying to rebuild while their strike rates (92 & 132 respectively) were about as effective at quelling flames as a garden hose would be.

This contrasted sharply with how the visitors got underway 55/1, and Tim Robinson scored aggressively, which demonstrated the difference in approach between the two teams.

Mark Chapman’s 28-Ball Madness

And then there was New Zealand’s silent killer, Mark Chapman. Chapman’s 78 of 28 deliveries was not simply a good knock; it was a well-planned and executed surgical strike on the West Indian middle order. With the Kiwi lineup struggling at 59/2, Chapman quickly assessed the West Indian attack and, with ruthless efficiency, dismantled their middle-order bowling.

Jayden Seales’ West Indian teammates didn’t have a “B” plan as he gave up 61 runs from four overs (yes, 61!), while even Romario Shepherd was giving up 12.6 economy. Only Forde and Chase were able to show some restraint; however, the damage was already done.

Chapman’s destruction of the West Indian middle-order turned a potential 160-run total into a 207-run total, which would carry over into the West Indian chase and place them under great pressure.

Late Surge, But Too Many Passengers

West Indies did have their moments of heroism with Rovman Powell hitting 45 from 16 deliveries as well as Brandon Shepherd’s 34 from 16 deliveries, but these sparks were short-lived and ultimately insufficient. It is not that the West Indies could not finish; they simply never got close enough.

At the 12th over, West Indies had reached 93 for 6, which would require an additional 104 deliveries to reach the target. The lower order had to go chasing ghost and miracle targets.

This is what made things so disturbing with regard to the tactics used by Hope. Hope did not bring in new bowlers during the time when Chapman was firing on all cylinders, and he also did not move up Powell earlier in the run chase when speed was imperative.

Ultimately, the West Indies came up short by just three runs at 204 for 8, and although the fans may be celebrating the fight, they will remember that this game was lost long before the last ball was bowled.

FAQs

1: What was the main reason for the West Indies’ loss?

Their slow Powerplay and failure to contain Chapman’s assault left them playing catch-up all night.

2: Who was the standout performer of the match?

Mark Chapman—his 78 off 28 balls and three catches turned the match on its head.

3: Could West Indies have won with better tactics?

Absolutely. A proactive bowling rotation and a more flexible batting order might have flipped the result their way.