Pallekele: A spirited West Indies kept alive their semifinal hopes after pulling off a sensational win over New Zealand via a super over in their final Super Eights match of the World T20 here on Monday.
Needing 18 to win in the one over eliminator, West Indies rode on Chris Gayle and Marlon’s Samuels pyrotechnics to finish the game with a ball to spare after both teams finished on 139 in regulation time.
While Gayle started the chase in the super over with a huge six over long-off off a no ball by Tim Southee, Samuels completed the job with a maximum over deep mid-wicket.
With three losses from as many games, New Zealand have crashed out of the tournament. On the other hand, West Indies are through after Sri Lanka beat England in the evening match.
The game went into the eliminator after the Kiwis made heavy weather of a modest 140-run chase.
Ross Taylor, who gave New Zealand hope with his aggressive batting in the super over, played a captain’s knock, but his unbeaten 62 went in vain as chasing 140, New Zealand managed 139 for seven in their alloted 20 overs.
“It was a great fight-back and I am very happy at that,” said Windies skipper Darren Sammy, who called Samuels his “go-to man.”
His opposite number, Taylor, said, “We probably should have won it in normal time.
“Credit to West Indies, to score 18 of five balls is pretty awesome.
“That’s cricket and we’re going home now.” (PTI)