West Indies opened their Women's T20 World Cup campaign with a dramatic seven-wicket victory over defending champions New Zealand at Southampton. Shemaine Campbelle anchored the chase with 90 not out from 62 balls, guiding her team to 163-3 with one ball to spare. The win came in the final over when Sophie Devine was unable to defend six runs, allowing Campbelle to hand strike to Jahzara Claxton for the decisive single.

New Zealand posted 162-6 but will rue costly dropped catches that proved decisive. Izzy Gaze top-scored with 39 before Brooke Halliday added 40 and Maddy Green 35. Aaliyah Alleyne claimed 4-27 for West Indies in a tight bowling display. The White Ferns recovered from 56-3 to post a competitive total, but missed opportunities came back to haunt them.

Campbelle's unbeaten fifty marked a personal milestone - her first in 122 T20 internationals for the Windies. Her emotional celebration reflected the significance of delivering when it mattered most. The victory gives West Indies early momentum in Group 2 where England are favored to advance. This narrow win could prove decisive in the race for second place.

With dropped catches costing New Zealand dearly and Campbelle's experience shining through, West Indies demonstrated composure under pressure. The defending champions face an uphill battle to recover from this opening loss.