DAMBULLA, Sri Lanka — Opening batsmen Brandon King and Evin Lewis delivered a robust show of aggressive batting to guide the West Indies to a five-wicket win over Sri Lanka within the first T20 Worldwide on the Dambulla Worldwide Stadium on Sunday.
Chasing 180 for victory after Sri Lanka posted a difficult 179 for seven of their 20 overs, the West Indies reached 180 for 5 with 5 balls to spare, because of a blistering 107-run opening stand between King and Lewis.
King, who was named Participant of the Match, hammered 63 from 33 balls, together with 11 boundaries and one six, whereas Lewis smashed an excellent 50 off 28 deliveries, that includes 5 fours and 4 towering sixes.
Setting the tone
The pair wasted no time setting the tone, sustaining a run fee of over 9 per over throughout their partnership. King began the onslaught early, punishing Sri Lankan pacer Asitha Fernando with a number of boundaries, whereas Lewis launched Chamindu Wickramasinghe for a six and a 4 within the opening over.
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By the top of the Energy Play, West Indies had raced to 74 with out loss, setting a brand new file for the very best Energy Play complete on the Dambulla floor.
King reached his half-century in type, smashing Matheesha Pathirana over midwicket for six after which by means of mid-off for 4, citing his fifty in simply 25 balls. Lewis quickly adopted, elevating his half-century in 27 deliveries with two monstrous sixes off leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga.
Sri Lanka discovered their breakthrough when Pathirana dismissed Lewis, who was caught at brief third man for 50. His wicket sparked a quick collapse, with Shai Hope departing cheaply for seven and King falling quickly after for 63, leaving the guests at 128 for 3 within the twelfth over.
Mini-collapse
Regardless of the mini-collapse, captain Rovman Powell (13) and Roston Chase (19) steadied the ship, placing on 32 runs earlier than Powell was caught at lengthy on. With 13 runs wanted from 13 balls, Sherfane Rutherford and Romario Shepherd saved their cool to take West Indies house. Rutherford sealed the win in type, slicing Pathirana for 4 off the primary ball of the ultimate over.
Earlier, Sri Lanka’s innings was rescued by captain Charith Asalanka and Kamindu Mendis, who shared an 82-run partnership for the fourth wicket after the hosts had slipped to 58 for 3. Asalanka top-scored with 59, whereas Mendis contributed 51 earlier than each fell within the closing phases as Sri Lanka struggled to speed up in the direction of the top of their innings.
Shamar Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, and debutant Shamar Springer all took key wickets for West Indies, whereas Alzarri Joseph claimed the essential scalp of Asalanka, brilliantly caught by Lewis at lengthy on.
