DAMBULLA, Sri Lanka — Opening batsmen Brandon King and Evin Lewis delivered a powerful display of aggressive batting to lead the West Indies to a five-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the first T20 International at the Dambulla International Stadium on Sunday.
Chasing 180 for victory after Sri Lanka posted a challenging 179 for seven in their 20 overs, the West Indies reached 180 for five with five balls to spare, thanks to a blistering 107-run opening stand between King and Lewis.
King, who was named Player of the Match, hammered 63 from 33 balls, including 11 boundaries and one six, while Lewis smashed an even 50 off 28 deliveries, featuring five fours and four towering sixes.
Setting the tone
The pair wasted no time setting the tone, maintaining a run rate of over nine per over during their partnership. King started the onslaught early, punishing Sri Lankan pacer Asitha Fernando with multiple boundaries, while Lewis launched Chamindu Wickramasinghe for a six and a four in the opening over.
By the end of the Power Play, West Indies had raced to 74 without loss, setting a new record for the highest Power Play total at the Dambulla ground.
King reached his half-century in style, smashing Matheesha Pathirana over midwicket for six and then through mid-off for four, bringing up his fifty in just 25 balls. Lewis soon followed, raising his half-century in 27 deliveries with two monstrous sixes off leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga.
Sri Lanka found their breakthrough when Pathirana dismissed Lewis, who was caught at short third man for 50. His wicket sparked a brief collapse, with Shai Hope departing cheaply for seven and King falling soon after for 63, leaving the visitors at 128 for three in the 12th over.
Mini-collapse
Despite the mini-collapse, captain Rovman Powell (13) and Roston Chase (19) steadied the ship, putting on 32 runs before Powell was caught at long on. With 13 runs needed from 13 balls, Sherfane Rutherford and Romario Shepherd kept their cool to take West Indies home. Rutherford sealed the win in style, slicing Pathirana for four off the first ball of the final over.
Earlier, Sri Lanka’s innings was rescued by captain Charith Asalanka and Kamindu Mendis, who shared an 82-run partnership for the fourth wicket after the hosts had slipped to 58 for three. Asalanka top-scored with 59, while Mendis contributed 51 before both fell in the closing stages as Sri Lanka struggled to accelerate towards the end of their innings.
Shamar Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, and debutant Shamar Springer all took key wickets for West Indies, while Alzarri Joseph claimed the crucial scalp of Asalanka, brilliantly caught by Lewis at long on.
