Openers Brandon King and Evin Lewis blast 107 runs off 55 balls to set up the West Indies in the chase to get 180 runs in the first T20I against Sri Lanka at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Sunday.
Despite the loss of five wickets in their quest for victory, Roston Chase (19) and Sherfane Rutherford (14) finished it off with a four off of the first ball of the final over. West Indies scored 180 for 5 off 19.1 overs.
During the Sri Lanka innings after being inserted by the visitors, Shamar Joseph was the most economical of the West Indies' bowlers, conceding only 27 from his four overs. Sri Lanka had two half-centuries with Kamindu Mendis (51) and Charith Asalanka (59), whose 82-run stand was the most substantial of Sri Lanka's innings.
King and Lewis were outstanding in attach after Lewis struck the first boundary, launching Chamindu Wickramaratne for a six and four at the end of the first over, but it was King who stood out with his power-hitting.
By the end of the powerplay, King had eight fours (some of them edged, to be fair) and 39 runs off 20 balls. Lewis had recorded 31 off 16 balls.
They kept swinging, and by the end, Lewis made 50 off 28, and King 63 off 33, before Chase and Rutherford mopped up the remaining runs after the departure of their captains Rovman Powell (13) and Shai Hope (7) and Chase for 19.
SUMMERISE SCORES
SRI LANKA 179-7 in 20 overs (Charith Asalanka 59, Kamindu Mendis 51, Kusal Mendis 19, Bhanuka Rajapaksa 17, Pathum Nissanka 11; Romario Shepherd 2-39) vs WEST INDIES 180-5 in 19.1 overs (Brandon King 63, Evin Lewis 50, Roston Chase 19, Sherfane Rutherford 14 not out, Rovman Powell 13; Matheesha Pathirana 2-27). West Indies defeated Sri Lanka by five wickets.
Player-of-the-Match: Brandon King.
Result: West Indies lead the three-match series 1-0.
Umpires: Raveendra Wimalasiri, Ruchira Palliyaguruge.
TV Umpire: Lyndon Hannibal.
Match Referee: Ranjan Madugalle.
Reserve Umpire: Prageeth Rambukwella.
