Highlights of Sri Lanka's match against the West Indies: Sri Lanka defeated them by nine wickets.
With a commanding nine-wicket victory in Thursday's third and final match, Kusal Mendis led Sri Lanka to their first-ever T20I series victory against the West Indies. With 12 balls remaining, the hosts reached their goal of 163, elating the crowded Dambulla audience.
The night's star was Kusal Mendis, who amassed an undefeated 68 off 48 balls with three sixes and five boundaries. Mendis commented, "Happy to get the team over the line," following the game. "Not the easiest pitch to bat on, but these are conditions that we are used to playing." Mendis had a little fright at 44, but the Sri Lankan opener was able to continue his brilliant performance as Roston Chase was unable to hold onto a difficult return catch.
Mendis got Sri Lanka off to a fast start by opening with Pathum Nissanka. Before falling to a low delivery from Gudakesh Motie, Nissanka hammered 39 off 22 balls, including seven fours and a six, as the two put on a 60-run partnership in only 5.2 overs.
Kusal Perera replaced Mendis after Nissanka left, and despite suffering from cramping, he had a fantastic effort. Perera recorded his 15th T20I half-century with an undefeated 55 off 36 balls. Sri Lanka defeated the higher-ranked West Indies in a historic series thanks to an unbroken 106-run partnership between Mendis and Perera.
The West Indies struggled early on after choosing to bat first, falling to 68-5. But Gudakesh Motie and captain Rovman Powell's vital 54-run combination off 26 balls lifted the visitors. After hitting three straight sixes and a four off Dunith Wellalage in the fifteenth over, Motie was dismissed by Mendis off Wanindu Hasaranga.
With Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga each taking two wickets, Sri Lanka's spin department once again demonstrated its superiority. Powell recognized their battle against spin after considering the defeat. "I thought we had enough runs on the board," he stated. "We were totally outplayed by the Sri Lankan bowlers. We were aware that spin would be crucial, and Sri Lanka was superior.
The West Indies won the first game of the series by five wickets, but Sri Lanka roared back with a 73-run victory in the second. With this victory, the Sri Lankan team's incredible run under new coach Sanath Jayasuriya comes to an end. The squad has won a number of incredible matches in the past three months, including a historic two-Test series sweep against New Zealand earlier this month, their first in 15 years, a Test victory in England after ten years, and an ODI series victory over India after 27 years.
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