After being comprehensively beaten in the first T20 International (T20I), Sri Lanka bounced back in the second game of the series in Jamaica to level the three-match series 1-1. They were helped massively by fifties from Kamil Mishara (61* off 40) and Dasun Shanaka (58 off 24), who took Sri Lanka to an above-par 194/5.
Shanaka, Mishara to the rescue
Sri Lanka did not have momentum in their innings until Shanaka arrived at the crease. After scoring just three off his first three balls, he went 6, 4, and 6 against Roston Chase, making his intentions very clear. He also did not spar Shamar Springer or Romario Shepherd to bring up his half-century off just 19 balls. Mishara, on the other hand, was a little more circumspect and did not score a boundary in his first 15 deliveries.
In fact, he was on 22 off 23 deliveries but went berserk after that, hitting 28 runs off his next 10 deliveries to bring up his half-century. The duo added 103 off just 41 deliveries to put Sri Lanka in a commanding position.
Shamar Joseph was the pick of the bowlers for West Indies, with 3/32, while Matthew Forde and Springer too were among the wickets.
Nothing to cheer about for WI
Other than the 81-run stand between Shimron Hetmyer (36 off 26) and Rovman Powell (43 off 26), there was nothing worthwhile as the hosts were bundled out for 157 in the 19th over, handing Sri Lanka a massive 37-run victory.
Dushmantha Chameera bowled a brilliant spell of 3/9, while Wanindu Hasaranga also picked up three, while spinners Dunith Wellalage (2) and Maheesh Theekshana (1) chipped in with vital wickets.
The series-decider will be played on June 15 (Monday) at 6 AM IST at the same venue.
Brief scores
Sri Lanka 194/6 in 20 overs (Kamil Mishara 61*, Dasun Shanaka 58; Shamar Joseph 3/32) beat West Indies 157 in 18.1 overs (Rovman Powell 43, Shimron Hetmyer 36; Dushmantha Chameera 3/9) by 37 runs
Player of the Match: Dasun Shanaka
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