Just 24 hours ago, Sri Lanka put up a commanding performance to level the T20 International (T20I) series against West Indies. However, the hosts quickly turned things around to register a five-wicket victory in the series decider at Sabina Park to clinch the three-match series 2-1.
Joseph wreaks havoc again
The match was set up for the West Indies by pacer Shamar Joseph, who picked up his maiden five-wicket haul in T20Is. His 5/33 helped West Indies restrict Sri Lanka to 169/5, with Dunith Wellalage playing a 28-ball 43 cameo at the end.
Joseph has been in stunning form in the series, having finished with 11 wickets in three games at an average of 8.55.
Sri Lanka had the match in their hands till the final four overs. West Indies needed 60 off 24 with Sherfane Rutherford and Rovman Powell at the crease. However, they were not scoring at a high rate at that point. The over from Dushmantha Chameera changed all that as the batters got 24 runs off that, and suddenly that breathed a fresh life into West Indies’ chase.
Sloppy bowling, fielding cost Sri Lanka
After losing Powell, Jason Holder (21* off 5) changed the course of the game, smashing three sixes off Chameera in the penultimate over, leaving Dasun Shanaka just six to defend off the last over.
Amid all this, Rutherford was dropped twice and he made Sri Lanka pay, finishing with an unbeaten 54 off 40 deliveries to guide his side home.
Wanindu Hasaranga bowled exceedingly well, finishing with 2/17, while Wellalage, Chameera and Maheesh Theekshana chipped in with a wicket apiece.
Sri Lanka won the One-Day International (ODI) series 1-0, and now West Indies have clinched the T20Is. Both teams will now shift their focus to the Two-match Test series, starting June 25 in Antigua.
Brief scores:
Sri Lanka 169 in 20 overs (Dunith Wellalage 43, Kamil Mishara 28; Shamar Joseph 5/33) lost to West Indies 170/5 in 19.4 overs (Sherfane Rutherford 54*, Rovman Powell 33; Wanindu Hasaranga 2/17) by 5 wickets
Player of the Match: Shamar Joseph
Player of the Series: Shamar Joseph
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