Sri Lanka sealed a dominant nine-wicket victory over West Indies in the third and final T20I at Dambulla to claim their first-ever T20I series win against the Caribbean side. Kusal Mendis (68*) and Kusal Perera (55*) led a clinical chase, taking Sri Lanka to a target of 163 with 12 balls to spare, securing a 2-1 series win.
The win not only marked a historic moment for Sri Lanka in T20Is but also underscored their resurgence in the format after a challenging two years. The packed Poya-day crowd in Dambulla witnessed an electric start from Sri Lanka, followed by a composed partnership between Mendis and Perera that steered them home.
West Indies Post Competitive Total
Earlier, West Indies posted 162 for 8, bolstered by a late flurry from Gudakesh Motie, who hammered a quickfire 32 off 15 balls. Motie’s assault in the final overs ensured West Indies managed a score higher than what they might have expected on a spin-friendly pitch, especially after a faltering start.
The innings, however, was built around Rovman Powell’s 37, as West Indies struggled to find momentum against Sri Lanka’s spinners. While Motie’s late fireworks lifted the score, Sri Lanka’s bowlers, including Maheesh Theekshana (2-19) and Wanindu Hasaranga, kept tight control, suffocating the West Indies’ top order.
Nissanka’s Explosive Start Sets the Tone
Sri Lanka’s chase began with a bang, thanks to the aggressive Pathum Nissanka, who fired the team to a blistering 60/1 by the end of the powerplay. Nissanka struck three fours off the first over from Fabian Allen and continued his assault with two sixes off seamer Alzarri Joseph in the following over. His swashbuckling 39 off 22 balls gave Sri Lanka the perfect platform, though his innings was cut short when Motie trapped him in front with a slider.
Mendis and Perera Seal the Win
Despite Nissanka’s dismissal, the Kusal duo—Mendis and Perera—took control, forming an unbeaten 106-run stand. Perera, known for his aggressive style, came into his own after Nissanka’s departure, finding the boundary with regularity, particularly off his legs. His knock of 55 off 36 balls included several strong hits, including some powerful strokes of the West Indies spinners.
Mendis, on the other hand, held firm throughout, registering his 15th T20I half-century. He calmly anchored the chase, playing some elegant strokes while maintaining the required run rate. The duo completed the chase in style, with Perera’s six in the final over sealing the win.
Missed Chances for West Indies
West Indies had their moments to make an impact but failed to capitalize. Early in the chase, Nissanka was let off when Rovman Powell misjudged a high ball, allowing the opener to continue his onslaught. Later, Roston Chase missed a simple return chance off Kusal Mendis when the Sri Lankan batter was on 44, and Shai Hope missed a run-out opportunity on Mendis when he was on 34. These missed opportunities were costly as Sri Lanka powered to victory.
Motie’s Moment of Brilliance
While Sri Lanka’s bowlers were largely dominant, the standout moment for West Indies came in the 15th over when Motie launched a blistering attack on Sri Lanka’s young left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage. Motie’s 32 included three sixes, two of which were dispatched over deep midwicket. His quickfire runs helped West Indies to a total that seemed competitive at the time, but in the end, it was not enough to halt Sri Lanka’s determined chase.
Sri Lanka’s Resurgence Under Jayasuriya
This victory is another significant achievement for Sri Lanka’s cricket team, which has been on the rise this year. After impressive Test series wins and an ODI series victory over India in July, the team’s confidence in the T20I format continues to grow. The win also bolsters the reputation of their new coach, Sanath Jayasuriya, who has been instrumental in Sri Lanka’s resurgence in all formats.
Sri Lanka’s clinical win over West Indies signals a promising future for the team as they look ahead to upcoming challenges in the T20 World Cup qualifiers and beyond.
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