Sri Lanka 166 for 1 (Kusal Mendis 68*, Kusal Perera 55*) beaten West Indies 162 for 8 (Powell 37, Motie 32, Theekshana 2-19) off 9 wickets
West Indies had finished cleanly before reaching 162, despite largely having a late attack from Gudakesh Motie, who bludgeoned 32 for 15, for acquiring what used to be possibly an above-average score on an easy monitor to turn.
Despite Dunith Wellalage attempting runs, Sri Lanka’s difference makers saved the score. This also used to be a key excess among the groups.
Kusal Mendis went straight to registering the highest score in the sport, with 68 off 50. Perera smashed 55 off 36. Nissanka had played the most competitive innings, plundering 39 off 22.
The 2-1 result is a further sign of Sri Lanka’s resurgence, in the arena in which they have arguably had the most difficulty in the last two years. They received this gift of 5 test suits and in July they also defeated the Republic of India in a bilateral ODI line. This victory also increases unused maestro Sanath Jayasuriya’s insurance further.
Early assault on Sri Lanka
The West Indies strengthened their spin attack by bringing Fabian Allen into the side for this adjustment, however, Nissanka ensured that the Sri Lankan batsmen established their dominance early on. He hit three fours in the first over, bowled by Allen, before bowling seamer Alzrri Joseph for two sixes and a four later; The runs came all over the field, although the square pocket favored the offside. . While Nissanka was bowled through a Motie slider in 5.2 overs, Sri Lanka had already accelerated to 60.
Kusal Mendis and Perera consolidate, the next push
The first central changes were calmer than the previous ones. But soon, Perera began to find the limit specifically in his legs, and Sri Lanka’s run went down again, before the West Indies could follow a severe force. Kusal Mendis, who had started scoring rapidly towards the end of the powerplay, continued to overcome standard limitations as he cruised to a 15th T20I fifty. Perera reached his part of a century – also his 15th – in what was the overall end of the sport.
West Indies put aside the odds
West Indies had a chance to make a dent in the chase. Rovman Powell could have caught the dangerous Nissanka in the first over, but he misjudged the majestic ball and pushed it against the rope instead. Roston Chase then missed an easy comeback chance to Kusal Mendis on 44, even though Sri Lanka were clearly on course for victory through the nearest. Shai Hope would also have run down Kusal Mendis in the 34th over, had he hit the stumps with a shot in the ninth over.
Motie’s attack
The highlight of the West Indies innings used to be the 15th over of the match, during which they collected 25 runs. His innings scored 86 for five next 14 overs, with enough spin to make it back from Sri Lanka. But Motie would attack Wellalage with his left arm to restore the innings. His first boundary came from the outside edge, but the last three were imposing sixes in succession: the first I’m sick of the field, the last two over deep mid-wicket. He got out early but set the West Indies in a better direction.
