In the first T20I match against Sri Lanka, the West Indies secured a convincing victory, finishing at 180 for 5 and chasing down the target of 180 runs with five wickets in hand. The standout performers for the West Indies were Brandon King and Evin Lewis, who laid a solid foundation with a powerful opening partnership that amassed 107 runs off just 55 balls.
King showcased his aggressive batting style, scoring 63 runs off 33 balls, while Lewis contributed a brisk 50 off 28. Their explosive performance during the powerplay helped the West Indies score 74 runs in the first six overs, setting the tone for the innings. Despite a brief slowdown in the middle overs, the West Indies maintained control, with Sherfane Rutherford sealing the victory by hitting a four off the first ball of the final over.
Sri Lanka’s bowling unit struggled to contain the West Indies’ attacking approach, with Shamar Joseph being the most economical bowler, conceding just 27 runs from his four overs. On the other hand, Sri Lanka had notable contributions from Charith Asalanka, who scored 59 runs off 35 balls, and Kamindu Mendis, who added 51 runs off 41 balls. Their partnership of 82 runs was the highlight of the Sri Lankan innings, helping the team post a total of 179 for 7.
West Indies’ bowlers were instrumental in putting Sri Lanka under pressure early in their innings. Romario Shepherd made the first breakthrough, dismissing Pathum Nissanka, while Shamar Joseph claimed the key wicket of Kusal Perera. Gudakesh Motie also struck, bowling out Kusal Mendis and leaving Sri Lanka struggling at 58 for 3.
Kamindu Mendis emerged as a bright spot for Sri Lanka, demonstrating his skills with both bat and ball. Recently recognized as the fastest batter since 1950 to reach 1,000 Test runs, Kamindu scored a valuable half-century and took the wicket of West Indies’ top scorer, King, showcasing his all-round abilities.
With this victory, the West Indies lead the series 1-0, setting the stage for an exciting continuation as the teams look ahead to the next match.
