DAMBULLA, Sri Lanka, CMC – The West Indies misplaced their first bilateral T20 sequence to Sri Lanka after dropping by 9 wickets within the third and ultimate match in Dambulla to lose the sequence 2-1 right here Thursday.
Sri Lanka’s outstanding 2024 continued as Kusal Mendis and Kusal Perera powered their workforce to a historic T20I sequence win. The duo’s commanding unbeaten half-centuries helped Sri Lanka comfortably chase the goal of 163 on a dry Dambulla floor, sealing the match in 18 overs at 166 for one.
West Indies, opting to bat first, received off to a rocky begin when Mahesh Theekshana bowled Evin Lewis with simply the fourth supply of the innings for a duck.
Brandon King had gotten to 23 and confirmed some early intent alongside Shai Hope, however the spin risk from Sri Lanka was unrelenting. Theekshana struck once more within the sixth over, deceiving King with a carrom ball that crashed into the center stump.
The West Indian innings faltered additional as Roston Chase gifted a comfortable return catch to Kamindu Mendis for eight, whereas Hope was despatched packing after a pointy low catch by Pathum Nissanka at first slip for 18.
The guests would discover themselves in additional bother within the twelfth over when Charith Asalanka eliminated Sherfane Rutherford for six, at 62 for 5.
West Indies discovered some combat via captain Rovman Powell and Gudakesh Motie, who hammered 25 runs off a Wellalage over, together with three sixes and a 4. Nevertheless, Wanindu Hasaranga rapidly dismissed Motie, stumped for 32 off simply 15 balls.
Late contributions from Powell (37) and Romario Shepherd (18) took the West Indies complete to a defendable 162-8, due to 39 runs within the ultimate three overs.
Nevertheless, Sri Lanka’s response was ruthless as Openers Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis smashed 50 runs in simply 4.1 overs.
Alzarri Joseph leaked 15 runs within the second over, and regardless of Motie claiming Nissanka’s wicket for 39, the relentless assault continued.
Kusal Perera joined Mendis within the sixth over, and the pair placed on an unbeaten series-winning partnership of 106, maintaining the hosts firmly on monitor.
The one semblance of management West Indies managed was a good three-over spell from Roston Chase and Romario Shepherd, the place they conceded simply 14 runs. However the Sri Lankan pair remained composed, with Mendis reaching his half-century in 37 balls and Perera following swimsuit off 34 deliveries.
Mendis hit 5 fours and three sixes in his unbeaten knock of 68 from 50 balls. Fittingly, Perera, who scored 55 not out from 36 balls with seven fours, sealed the victory within the 18th over with a boundary, finishing a dominant eight-wicket win.
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