The West Indies secured victory in the inaugural T20I against Sri Lanka by five wickets in Dambulla. Brandon King, with a score of 63, and Evin Lewis, who contributed 50 runs, were the standout performers, forming a significant 107-run partnership for the opening wicket while pursuing a target of 179. Although Kamindu Mendis and Charith Asalanka both made rapid half-centuries for the home team, their efforts ultimately fell short.
Sri Lanka's decent batting performance
Batting first, Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis exhibited a careful approach initially, accumulating only 11 runs in the first two overs. However, Nissanka increased the scoring rate in the third over, hitting consecutive boundaries off Romario Shepherd. Unfortunately, he was dismissed on the following delivery, edging the ball to Shai Hope. Kusal Perera opened his account with a boundary but was subsequently bowled out by Shamar Joseph.
Kamindu Mendis entered the field as the next batsman, quickly scoring with a pull shot that reached the boundary. Kusal added a four and a six against Alzarri Joseph, while Kamindu followed suit with two boundaries in the subsequent over, propelling the Sri Lankan team to 54 for 2 during the PowerPlay. However, a subdued over from Roston Chase led to a wicket in the next over, as Kusal attempted a cut shot but was bowled by Gudakesh Motie.
Charith Asalanka emerged at the crease, partnering with Kamindu to mount an aggressive response against the West Indies, as Asalanka struck three boundaries in the 12th over. Kamindu reached his second T20I half-century, showcasing his impressive form. However, shortly thereafter, he was dismissed while attempting a pull shot, resulting in a catch in the deep. Asalanka continued his assault by hitting two additional fours in the same over, ultimately bringing up his own half-century. Unfortunately, he too fell victim to a catch at deep-midwicket. Bhanuka Rajapaksa contributed a quick 17 runs off 10 balls, helping Sri Lanka set a competitive total of 179 for 7.
Evin Lewis and Brandon King take the charge
West Indies commenced their innings with great intensity. Evin Lewis struck Chamindu Wickramasinghe for both a six and a four. At the other end, King exhibited a fierce approach, hitting three boundaries off Asitha Fernando. The pair established a 50-run partnership in just 4.4 overs, and a costly sixth over yielded 16 runs, propelling West Indies to 74 without loss during the PowerPlay.
King reached his half-century with a six and a four off Pathirana. His partner quickly matched his score in the subsequent over, launching two enormous sixes off Hasaranga. However, the left-handed batsman eventually fell to a low catch at backward point in the following over. Sri Lanka successfully regained control by taking the quick wickets of Shai Hope and King within a span of two overs.
The new batsmen, Chase and Rovman Powell, were unable to maintain the aggressive scoring, resulting in a decrease in the run rate. A pivotal 16th over allowed the West Indies to hit two boundaries during a 12-run over. Powell’s lackluster innings concluded when he was caught in the deep, while Chase edged one behind to Pathirana. With 13 runs required from 12 balls, the West Indies aggressively ran for twos, and Sherfane Rutherford secured the victory with a boundary, finishing the match with four balls remaining.
Scorecard: Sri Lanka 179/7 in 20 overs (Charith Asalanka 59, Kamindu Mendis 51; Romario Shepherd 2-39, Gudakesh Motie 1-16) lost to West Indies 180/5 in 19.1 overs (Brandon King 63, Evin Lewis 50; Matheesha Pathirana 2-27, Kamindu Mendis 1-14)
