NEW DELHI: Mark Chapman produced a breathtaking innings of 78 off just 28 balls - featuring a 19-ball half-century - to power New Zealand to a thrilling three-run win over the West Indies and level the three-match series 1-1 on Thursday.

Chapman's explosive knock sparked a massive acceleration for the visitors, who smashed 100 runs between the 9th and 16th overs to post a formidable 207/5 after being put in to bat.

The West Indies faltered early against New Zealand's spin trio, slipping to 94/6 in the 13th over. However, a late counterattack led by Rovman Powell (45 off 16), Romario Shepherd (34 off 16), and Matthew Forde (29* off 13) reignited hopes of an unlikely chase.

Needing 16 runs off the final over with three wickets in hand, the hosts fell agonizingly short as New Zealand held their nerve to seal a nail-biting victory.

Entrusted with the final over, Kyle Jamieson conceded fours from the first and third balls, the second of which was a no ball. Powell was out to the fourth ball, caught by Chapman who took three catches in the innings to complete a player-of-the-match performance.

The West Indies needed six from the last two balls but managed only three runs and finished 204-8.

“The West Indies boys, they're so strong they're never really out of the game,” Chapman said. “It was amazing that the boys held their nerve at the end.”

Chapman went from 12 off 10 balls to 65 off 22 balls. He hit 24 runs including three sixes in the 13th over, bowled by Shepherd, then four fours and a six in the 15th over bowled by Jayden Seales.

New Zealand went from 83-2 after 12 overs to 140-3 after 15 and at the end of the 16th over was 163-3.

The West Indies bowlers sent down 11 wides, many of them trying to put the ball out of Chapman's reach. It was reminiscent of the Toronto Blue Jays walking Shohei Otani during the World Series.

Chapman was finally out in the 17th over, caught by Jason Holder off his own bowling after hitting six boundaries and seven sixes.

After Chapman, Daryl Mitchell made an unbeaten 28 from 14 balls and Mitchell Santner 18 not out from eight balls. Tim Robinson made 39 at the top of the order.

Seales' four overs cost 61 runs.

The teams meet in back-to-back matches in Nelson on Sunday and Monday.

(With AP Inputs)