The Caribbean side still needed a further 47 runs when they lost their ninth wicket. Yet they got to within one hit of victory thanks to Carlos Brathwaite's remarkable 101 -- his maiden one-day international century coming after just a lone fifty in the all-rounder's previous 37 matches at this level.
But with six needed to win, Brathwaite launched the last ball of the penultimate over from Jimmy Neesham high into the Manchester sky only for Boult, just inside the boundary rope, to take a well-judged catch at long-on.
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After that incident, Carlos Brathwaite said he will take confidence from his valiant knock that took West Indies close to victory.
“Obviously bittersweet. For me personally, for my confidence. As a result of all the hard work I've been putting in it, is finally good that it comes to fruition. Obviously devastated not to get over the line, but also giving thanks for the performance. Even getting the team into the position we got into before I got out," said Brathwaite.
The win saw New Zealand, the 2015 losing finalists, return to the top of the 10-team table. It also moved them to the verge of semi-final qualification as they remained unbeaten at this year's tournament after thrilling wins over both Sri Lanka and South Africa.