New Zealand’s bowlers restricted the West Indies batters to 172-7 in 20 overs after Mitchell Santner returned figures of 3/19.
Kane Williamson and Jimmy Neesham helped it to 185 for five batting first in a rain-interrupted innings at Sabina Park on Wednesday.
an explosive unbroken 58-run eighth-wicket partnership between Romario Shepherd (31 not out) and Odean Smith (27 not out) gave the West Indies hope after they had crashed to 114 for seven in the 16th over.
New Zealand’s innings had two parts, separated by a lengthy rain break. Openers Martin Guptill and Devon Conway gave the tourists a strong start, putting on 63 for the first wicket. But openers fell to consecutive deliveries from Odean Smith, who went on to take career-best T20 figures of 3-32.
Guptill fell to a brilliant one-handed catch by Shimron Hetmeyer, who was backed up against the boundary at a deep point, while Conway’s innings of 43 from 29 ended when he top-edged a catch to wicketkeeper Devon Thomas.
After Philip’s Dismissal, The New Zealand innings briefly lost momentum but Williamson re-billed the innings by taking 33 runs in his Next 18 Balls.
Williamson finally was out to another brilliant catch on the boundary, this time from Hayden Walsh who dashed from mid-wicket to pocket a comfortable catch at speed.
Neesham struck a six from the second ball of an over in which he also was dropped by Romario Shepherd from the bowling of Jason Holder.
“We want to get better as a group but in saying that I was happy with the performances,” West Indies captain Nicholas Pooran said.
“Santner bowled very well and Ish (Sodhi) got away with a few.
“Scores above 175-180 are tricky for us. Unfortunately losing is contagious and we’re the losing side at the moment.” he added
Shamarh Brooks anchored the top of the West Indies innings with 42 runs at almost a run-a-ball. But there was a lack of consistent momentum afterward.
Pooran with 15 from eight balls, Holder with 25 from 19, and Rovman Powell with 18 from 12 all threatened to take control of the game but couldn’t carry on.
Finally, Shepherd and Odean Smith shared a 50 partnership from 23 balls for the eighth wicket to fan the West Indies’ hopes.
Shepherd struck an unbeaten 31 from 16 balls and Smith 27 from 12. But the West Indies came to the last over needing 26 runs.