In a thrilling encounter at Tarouba Stadium in south Trinidad, the West Indies cricket team clinched their spot in the Super Eight round of the ICC T20 World Cup with a hard-fought victory over New Zealand.
Led by crucial performances from Sherfane Rutherford, Gudakesh Motie, and Alzarri Joseph, the Caribbean side achieved their third consecutive win in the round robin stage.
New Zealand won the toss and opted to bowl first, immediately putting the West Indies under pressure with early wickets.
The Windies struggled in the powerplay, reaching just 22 runs for the loss of 4 wickets.
Johnson Charles departed for a duck in the first over, followed by Nicholas Pooran (17), Roston Chase (0), and Rovman Powell (1), leaving the team in a precarious position.
Despite the early setbacks, Sherfane Rutherford played a pivotal role with an unbeaten 68 runs, guiding the West Indies to a total of 149 for 9 in their allotted 20 overs.
Trent Boult starred for New Zealand with the ball, claiming three crucial wickets for 16 runs, while Tim Southee supported with two wickets.
Defending the target, West Indies bowlers stepped up magnificently.
Alzarri Joseph was outstanding, picking up 4 wickets for 19 runs, while Gudakesh Motie also made a significant impact with 3 wickets for 25 runs.
Akeal Hosein and Andre Russell contributed with a wicket each as they restricted New Zealand to 136 for 9 in their 20 overs, securing a 13-run victory.
For New Zealand, Glen Phillips top-scored with 40 runs, but their efforts fell short against the disciplined West Indies bowling attack.
With this win, the West Indies not only secured their place in the Super Eight round but also showcased their resilience and determination in the tournament.
They will face Afghanistan in their final group stage match, aiming to maintain their winning momentum.