WI vs SL, 1st T20I: Holder, Joseph power West Indies to series-opening win
Jason Holder led the charge with the ball before Shai Hope anchored the chase with an unbeaten 65 as West Indies defeated Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the first T20I at Sabina Park on Thursday to take an early lead in the three-match series.
West Indies captain Shai Hope struck an unbeaten half-century after Jason Holder's decisive spell with the ball as the hosts defeated Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the first T20I at Sabina Park on Thursday to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Chasing 148, West Indies completed the task with four balls to spare, though Sri Lanka's bowlers ensured the contest remained alive until the final over. Hope anchored the chase with a composed 65 not out off 54 deliveries, guiding his side home after a blazing start from the opening pair.
Hope and Brandon King put Sri Lanka immediately on the back foot with a 67-run stand in just 38 balls. King, who survived multiple early scares, made 37 off 22 deliveries before falling to Wanindu Hasaranga. The aggressive power play left the West Indies firmly ahead of the chase despite the sluggish nature of the surface.
Sri Lanka fought back through the middle overs, led by Hasaranga's 2 for 32 and a disciplined spell from Maheesh Theekshana, who conceded just 20 runs from his four overs. Eshan Malinga also impressed with figures of 1 for 26 as the visitors slowed the scoring considerably and dragged the chase into the final over.
However, with six runs required off the last six balls, Rovman Powell ended the contest swiftly, launching Dilshan Madushanka over deep midwicket for six to seal victory.
Earlier, Sri Lanka failed to capitalise on a promising start after Kusal Mendis provided early momentum with a brisk 36 off 23 balls. The visitors raced to 43 without loss before Holder turned the match in West Indies' favour.
Introduced in the fifth over, Holder struck immediately by dismissing Pathum Nissanka and then trapped Lasith Croospulle lbw with the very next delivery after a successful review. Sri Lanka slipped from 43 for no loss to 56 for 3 by the end of the Powerplay and never fully recovered.
Kamindu Mendis attempted to rebuild the innings with a fighting 51 off 39 balls, while Dasun Shanaka chipped in with a useful contribution during a stabilising partnership. But West Indies maintained control through the middle overs, with Roston Chase and the seamers restricting scoring opportunities.
Holder returned to claim his third wicket and finished with outstanding figures of 3 for 18, earning the Player-of-the-Match award. Sri Lanka managed only 147 for 9, with their total ultimately proving insufficient as Hope calmly steered West Indies to a winning start in the series.
West Indies captain Shai Hope struck an unbeaten half-century after Jason Holder's decisive spell with the ball as the hosts defeated Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the first T20I at Sabina Park on Thursday to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Chasing 148, West Indies completed the task with four balls to spare, though Sri Lanka's bowlers ensured the contest remained alive until the final over. Hope anchored the chase with a composed 65 not out off 54 deliveries, guiding his side home after a blazing start from the opening pair.
Hope and Brandon King put Sri Lanka immediately on the back foot with a 67-run stand in just 38 balls. King, who survived multiple early scares, made 37 off 22 deliveries before falling to Wanindu Hasaranga. The aggressive power play left the West Indies firmly ahead of the chase despite the sluggish nature of the surface.
Sri Lanka fought back through the middle overs, led by Hasaranga's 2 for 32 and a disciplined spell from Maheesh Theekshana, who conceded just 20 runs from his four overs. Eshan Malinga also impressed with figures of 1 for 26 as the visitors slowed the scoring considerably and dragged the chase into the final over.
However, with six runs required off the last six balls, Rovman Powell ended the contest swiftly, launching Dilshan Madushanka over deep midwicket for six to seal victory.
Earlier, Sri Lanka failed to capitalise on a promising start after Kusal Mendis provided early momentum with a brisk 36 off 23 balls. The visitors raced to 43 without loss before Holder turned the match in West Indies' favour.
Introduced in the fifth over, Holder struck immediately by dismissing Pathum Nissanka and then trapped Lasith Croospulle lbw with the very next delivery after a successful review. Sri Lanka slipped from 43 for no loss to 56 for 3 by the end of the Powerplay and never fully recovered.
Kamindu Mendis attempted to rebuild the innings with a fighting 51 off 39 balls, while Dasun Shanaka chipped in with a useful contribution during a stabilising partnership. But West Indies maintained control through the middle overs, with Roston Chase and the seamers restricting scoring opportunities.
Holder returned to claim his third wicket and finished with outstanding figures of 3 for 18, earning the Player-of-the-Match award. Sri Lanka managed only 147 for 9, with their total ultimately proving insufficient as Hope calmly steered West Indies to a winning start in the series.
