Sri Lanka secured a dominant 9-wicket victory over West Indies in the third and deciding T20I at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Thursday, October 17, 2024, to win the three-match series 2-1. After losing the first match, the hosts bounced back with back-to-back victories, sealing the series with a clinical chase of 163 in the final game.
West Indies Set a Target of 163
West Indies, having won the toss and elected to bat, got off to a shaky start, losing Evin Lewis for a duck in the first over. Brandon King offered some resistance with 23 off 19 balls, but Maheesh Theekshana struck twice early on, removing both King and Lewis, leaving the visitors at 42/2.
Shai Hope (18 off 25) and Roston Chase (8 off 13) struggled to build momentum, and West Indies lost wickets regularly. Rovman Powell played a captain’s knock of 37 off 27, including 3 sixes, but it was Gudakesh Motie’s late cameo of 32 from just 15 balls that pushed the West Indies total to a competitive 162/8 in their 20 overs. Sri Lanka’s bowlers, led by Theekshana (2/19) and Wanindu Hasaranga (2/24), kept the opposition in check throughout.
Sri Lanka’s Commanding Chase
Sri Lanka’s response was aggressive from the outset. Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis put on 60 runs in just over 5 overs for the opening stand. Nissanka was the first to fall for a quickfire 39 off 22 balls, but by then, Sri Lanka was well on course.
Kusal Mendis, continuing his fine form, remained unbeaten on 68 from 50 balls, hitting 5 fours and 3 sixes. He was ably supported by Kusal Perera, who scored 55* off 36 balls with 7 boundaries. Their partnership saw Sri Lanka chase down the target with ease, finishing at 166/1 in 18 overs.
Series Win for Sri Lanka
The victory ensured Sri Lanka won the three-match series 2-1, bouncing back strongly after losing the first T20I. This win underlines Sri Lanka’s growing strength in T20 cricket, with their batting depth and bowling attack proving decisive in the final two matches.
Match Details:
- Match: 3rd T20I, West Indies tour of Sri Lanka, 2024
- Venue: Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Dambulla
- Date: Thursday, October 17, 2024
- Toss: West Indies won the toss and elected to bat
- Result: Sri Lanka won by 9 wickets (with 12 balls remaining)
Key Performers:
- Sri Lanka Batting:
- Kusal Mendis: 68* (50 balls, 5 fours, 3 sixes)
- Kusal Perera: 55* (36 balls, 7 fours)
- Pathum Nissanka: 39 (22 balls, 7 fours, 1 six)
- West Indies Bowling:
- Gudakesh Motie: 4-0-31-1
- Sri Lanka Bowling:
- Maheesh Theekshana: 3-0-19-2
- Wanindu Hasaranga: 4-0-24-2
Player of the Match: Kusal Mendis (68* off 50 balls)
With this victory, Sri Lanka take the series 2-1, rounding off a successful T20I campaign against West Indies.
𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞, 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞, 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥!
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