And that's a wrap on the Sri Lanka vs West Indies T20 series! Sri Lanka, under Sanath Jayasuriya's guidance, has bounced back from their initial loss to clinch the trophy 2-1. But the cricket fever doesn't end here! With an exciting lineup of international matches ahead, fans have plenty to look forward to. Until next time, thank you for joining us!
Charith Asalanka has been handed the trophy and he joins his teammates for further celebrations.
Charith Asalanka, the victorious skipper of Sri Lanka says that the top-order batters batted brilliantly and that helped the team win the series. Mentions that throughout the series he kept reminding his side that they did well against India as well and if they just win those close moments they could be a hard team to beat and it reflected in this series. Reckons that that the aggressive start at the top is something that the two at the top decided by themselves and thanks to them for that solid start at the top.
Rovman Powell the losing skipper of West Indies says they had enough runs on the board on such a tricky track but credit goes to Sri Lanka as they batted well. Mentions that as a bowling group, they failed to make a game of it and the game went away from them in the PP itself. Reckons that the quality of spinners on both sides was the difference but they will learn from this. Closes by saying that these were unfamiliar conditions for them but acknowledges that his side did well and they have a lot of positives from this series. Thanks the Sri Lankan crowd for the love and support they have shown towards them.
Pathum Nissanka is the PLAYER OF THE SERIES.
Kusal Mendis is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH. Mendis is up for a chat and says he played well and the inning from Pathum Nissanka helped as that allowed him time at the top. Mentions that they are familiar with these conditions and his partnership with Kusal Perera in the middle was a good one as well as they kept rotating strike.
Time for the presentation ...
Earlier in the game, the West Indies batted first after winning the toss and scored 162 runs for the loss of 8 wickets. Despite a shaky start where they lost key wickets early, particularly with Evin Lewis falling for a golden duck and struggling performances from Shai Hope and Roston Chase, Rovman Powell and Gudakesh Motie stabilized the innings. Motie contributed aggressively with 32 runs off 15 balls, while Powell added 37 runs off 27 balls. The Sri Lankan bowlers Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana each took 2 wickets, helping keep the West Indian score in check.
West Indian bowling attack failed to make an impact, leaving Rovman Powell disappointed. Despite the pitch offering ample assistance to spinners, the Caribbean spinners couldn't capitalize, while the seamers also struggled to make inroads
Chasing 162 on a challenging pitch seemed daunting, but Sri Lanka dismantled the target with ease. They exploited the Powerplay to perfection, racing to 66/1 in the first six overs. Pathum Nissanka's departure didn't derail their momentum, as Kusal Mendis and Kusal Perera forged a pivotal partnership. The Kusal's steered Sri Lanka to a resounding 9-wicket triumph over the West Indies, making the chase look effortless. The most important aspect of the chase was the way these two ran in between the wickets.
Sri Lanka delivers a dominant and thoroughly professional performance to outclass West Indies by 9 wickets, sealing the series 2-1 convincingly. The exceptional display from the hosts ensured a one-sided contest, showcasing their all-round prowess and cementing their status as series champions.
Alzarri Joseph to Kusal Perera, Four!FOUR! A BOUNDARY TO WRAP THINGS UP! Short-pitched around leg, Kusal Perera flicks this wide to the right of the short fine leg fielder this time and ends the game with a boundary. Sri Lanka wins this by 9 wickets and a good chunk of 12 balls to spare.
Alzarri Joseph to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.Yorker around off, Kusal Mendis rolls this towards long on for one. SCORES ARE LEVEL!
Alzarri Joseph to Kusal Mendis, No run.With the crowd looking to roar the loudest so far, Alzarri Joseph bowls an absolute beauty outside off, beating the outside edge of Mendis. Where was this throughout the game, Mr. Joseph?
Alzarri Joseph to Kusal Mendis, Wide!WIDE! On a length down the leg, Kusal Mendis swings and misses. Wided. Just 2 needed now.
Alzarri Joseph to Kusal Perera, 1 run.On a length around off, Kusal Perera tucks this through mid-wicket and runs one.
Alzarri Joseph to Kusal Perera, Four!FOUR! FIFTY FOR PERERA! Yorker, down the leg, Kusal Perera moves in and flicks this fine and wide to the left of short fine leg for a boundary to bring up his half-century.
Alzarri Joseph to Kusal Perera, 2 runs.On a length around off, angling away from the batter. Kusal Mendis flicks this towards the left of Shamar Springer at wide long on and runs two yet again.
Romario Shepherd to Kusal Perera, 1 run.On a length around leg, Kusal Perera thumps this down to long on for one.
Romario Shepherd to Kusal Perera, Four!FOUR! Full toss, on off, Kusal Perera doesn't hit this uppish and flicks this in the empty pockets between deep mid-wicket and wide long on for a boundary this time. Just 11 needed now for Lanka to clinch this series.
The umpire sends this upstairs to check if the batters had taken three or did they stop after a couple. Three runs is the verdict from the TV umpire.
Romario Shepherd to Kusal Mendis, 3 runs.Good length wide of off, Kusal Mendis cuts this towards deep point and was expecting a boundary. A brilliant effort in the deep by Sherfane Rutherford keeps it down to three.
Sherfane Rutherford has jammed his little finger in the ground as he fielded this and he might have dislocated that. It's the turn of the West Indies team physio to rush out and check on his player.
The physio is earning his money here with frequent visits to check on the batter. Kusal Mendis is down again, nothing related to the earlier hit on the helmet though. This is regarding a sprain he has felt on his right thigh. He is good to continue though.
Romario Shepherd to Kusal Mendis, No run.On a length outside off, Kusal Mendis moves in and looks to ramp this over short fine leg, misses and the ball is collected by Shai Hope behind the stumps. Kusal Mendis looks in some pain though and this is something to do with his thigh on the right leg.
Romario Shepherd to Kusal Mendis, Four!FOUR! Brilliantly played away from the fielder for four. On a length, wide of off, Kusal Mendis jumps to his off and plays this late. Cuts this wide to the right of short third and the ball races away for four.
Romario Shepherd to Kusal Perera, 1 run.Pace off, full and wide outside off, Kusal Perera stretches and drills this towards sweeper cover for one.
Gudakesh Motie to Kusal Mendis, 2 runs.Short and wide outside off, Kusal Mendis adjusts and slaps this through extra cover for a couple to end the over. 23 now needed of last 4 overs.
Gudakesh Motie to Kusal Mendis, No run.Full and wide outside off, Kusal Mendis guides this to short third for no run.
The physio rushes in and it is Kusal Mendis undergoing a concussion check as the ball hits his helmet while he was looking to sweep. Everything looks good though.
Gudakesh Motie to Kusal Mendis, No run.Length dragged back a bit, on off, Kusal Mendis goes for the sweep, gets an outside edge and the ball clips his helmet. A mandatory concussion check will take place now.
Gudakesh Motie to Kusal Mendis, No run.Short of a length on off, Kusal Mendis pulls this into the surface but towards mid-wicket for no run.
Gudakesh Motie to Kusal Mendis, No run.Fuller, on off, Kusal Mendis punches this towards extra cover for no run.
Gudakesh Motie to Kusal Mendis, Four!FOUR! Kusal Mendis is such a pleasing sight to the eyes when he is in this form. Tossed up around off, Kusal Mendis moves away from the line of it and chips this almost all the way up and over extra cover for four runs.
The equation is down to 29 runs off the last five overs. The Lankans are well and truly on track in the chase but we have seen them collapse in the recent past in a similar sort of situation in the series against India. Can they overcome that mentality to crumble in a pressure situation? We shall find out soon.
Shamar Joseph to Kusal Perera, 2 runs.Yet another couple and this is athleticism of the highest order from these two. Good length around middle and leg, Kusal Perera tucks this in the empty pocket towards mid-wicket and runs a couple more. Excellent running between the wickets.
Shamar Joseph to Kusal Perera, 2 runs.On a length on off, Kusal Perera flicks this towards deep mid-wicket region for a couple more.
Shamar Joseph to Kusal Perera, 2 runs.Good length around middle and off, Kusal Perera pulls this towards the deep mid-wicket region for a couple of runs.
Shamar Joseph to Kusal Perera, No run.Good length on middle and off, Kusal Perera defends this one.
Shamar Joseph to Kusal Perera, Four!FOUR! That's a cracking shot now. Short and wide outside off, Kusal Perera hangs back and lofts this up and over extra cover for a boundary.
Shamar Joseph to Kusal Perera, 2 runs.Short-pitched, into the body, around leg, Kusal Perera lofts this behind mid-wicket and runs back for two. A bit more time in the air might have seen the ball land in the lap of a fielder.
Roston Chase to Kusal Perera, 1 run.Fuller, around the leg this time, Kusal Perera nudges this away towards deep square for one.
Roston Chase to Kusal Perera, No run.Much slower, in the line of stumps, bouncing over middle. Kusal Perera goes for the slog sweep and misses.
Roston Chase to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.Short of a length around middle and leg, Mendis gets it away on leg for one more.
Roston Chase to Kusal Mendis, 2 runs.Too full, on off, Kusal Mendis dabs this towards short third and runs one. Not a good throw from the fielder towards Roston Chase allows an extra run.
Roston Chase to Kusal Mendis, 2 runs.FIFTY! Kusal Mendis has batted extremely well to score a fifty on this tricky track. Slower and fuller around middle and leg, Kusal Mendis tucks this through mid-wicket and runs a couple.
Roston Chase to Kusal Mendis, No run.Fuller, on the pads, Kusal Mendis goes for the sweep and fails to get it away.
Romario Shepherd to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.It has been a while since the ball touched or crossed the ropes now. Maybe a wicket here and the visitors will be back in this. Good length on leg, Mendis tucks this away towards deep mid-wicket for one.
Romario Shepherd to Kusal Mendis, No run.Yorker, on the pads, Kusal Mendis flicks this towards short fine leg for no run.
Romario Shepherd to Kusal Mendis, No run.Good length, on off. Kusal Mendis defends this back to the right of the bowler.
Romario Shepherd to Kusal Mendis, 2 runs.Back of a length around off, Kusal Mendis punches this off the back foot towards the right of point for a couple.
Romario Shepherd to Kusal Perera, 1 run.Back of a length, into the batter. Kusal Perera pulls this towards deep square for one.
Romario Shepherd to Kusal Perera, No run.Slower one, full and wide outside off. Perera swings and misses.
Roston Chase to Kusal Perera, 1 run.Tossed up in the line of stumps, Kusal Perera drives this towards sweeper cover for one.
Roston Chase to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.Quicker and flatter outside off, Kusal Mendis cuts this through backward point for one.
Roston Chase to Kusal Mendis, No run.Short of a length around off, Mendis punches this towards extra cover for no run.
Roston Chase to Kusal Mendis, No run.Quicker and flatter, outside off, Kusal Mendis goes for the cut and misses.
Roston Chase to Kusal Perera, 1 run.Too full around off, Kusal Perera gets it away on off towards point and runs one more.
Roston Chase to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.Fuller, around the leg, Kusal Mendis rolls this towards long on for one.
Alzarri Joseph to Kusal Perera, No run.On a length around off, Kusal Perera defends this back to the bowler.
Alzarri Joseph to Kusal Perera, 2 runs.On a length around off, Kusal Perera pushes this towards wide long off and comes back for two. Excellent use of the field here from these two.
Alzarri Joseph to Kusal Perera, No run.Much better from Alzarri Joseph. Back of a length, wide of off, in that corridor of uncertainty. Kusal Perera tentatively pokes at it and gets beaten on the inside.
Alzarri Joseph to Kusal Perera, Four!FOUR! Lovely bit of timing behind this and he has found the fence again. On a length, angling into the batter, Kusal Perera flicks this and finds the gap bisecting the fielders in the deep on leg for four runs.
Alzarri Joseph to Kusal Perera, No run.Back of a length around middle and leg, Kusal Mendis jams this towards the bowler.
Alzarri Joseph to Kusal Perera, Four!FOUR! Juicy half-volley, outside off, Kusal Perera gets right on top of it and nails the off-drive straight down the ground towards long off for four runs.
Roston Chase to Kusal Mendis, No run.Dropped again. The fielding has been really poor from the visitors and they are paying for it. Tossed up, on off, holds a bit into the surface, Kusal Mendis goes for the drive and gets it high off his bat straight towards the bowler. Roston Chase gets behind this and gets both hands to it but drops it in the end.
Roston Chase to Kusal Mendis, No run.Quicker and flatter on off, Kusal Mendis cuts this towards short third for no run.
Roston Chase to Kusal Perera, 1 run.Too full, wide of off, Kusal Perera drives this to long off for one.
Roston Chase to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.Short of a length on off, Mendis rolls this towards long on for one.
Roston Chase to Kusal Mendis, Six!SIX! Kusal Mendis is not allowing Roston Chase to settle. Tossed up on middle and off, Kusal Mendis gets low on a knee and slog sweeps this up and over the deep mid-wicket fieder for a massive six.
Roston Chase to Kusal Mendis, 2 runs.Short of a length around middle and leg, Kusal Mendis flicks this towards the left of deep square and runs a couple.
Gudakesh Motie to Kusal Perera, No run.Length dragged back on off, Kusal Perera cuts this towards backward point for no run. Kusal Perera cries in agony as this seemed as a boundary opportunity.
Gudakesh Motie to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.Tossed up on the pads again, Kusal Mendis gets down on a knee and sweeps this towards deep square for one.
Gudakesh Motie to Kusal Mendis, 2 runs.Fuller around off, Kusal Mendis drives this towards sweeper cover and scampers back for two.
Gudakesh Motie to Kusal Perera, 1 run.Tossed up and Kusal Perera sweeps this away for one.
Gudakesh Motie to Kusal Perera, Four!FOUR! Quicker and fuller, straying down the leg, Kusal Perera flicks this and finds the fence behind the wicket towards leg for a boundary.
Gudakesh Motie to Kusal Perera, 2 runs.Mendis was gone for all money had Hope hit the stumps on the striker's end. Fuller, on off, Kusal Perera dabs this towards off and goes for a run, Shai Hope was quickly onto this and threw at the stumps towards the striker's end and missed. The batter took an extra run though.
Roston Chase to Kusal Perera, 1 run.Quicker and wide of off, Kusal Perera edges this onto the pads and towards off for one.
Roston Chase to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.Too full, around the pads, Kusal Mendis flicks this towards short mid-wicket and takes one. It was fielded well initially but in order to throw this on the dive towards the bowler the fielder fluffed his line and the batter took advantage of it.
Roston Chase to Kusal Mendis, No run.Tossed up on the pads, Kusal Mendis goes for the sweeps nad misses. The ball gets thumped into the pads though.
Roston Chase to Kusal Mendis, No run.Fuller on off, Kusal Mendis drives this towards extra cover for no run.
Roston Chase to Kusal Perera, 1 run.Too full, around leg, Kusal Perera tucks this towards deep square for one.
Roston Chase to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.Short of a length around middle and leg, Kusal Mendis hops on the back foot and pulls this flat towards deep mid-wicket for one.
Romario Shepherd to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.Good length on the pads, Kusal Mendis flicks this towards deep mid-wicket for a single
Romario Shepherd to Kusal Mendis, Four!FOUR! Innovative and effective from Mendis. Back of a length around off, Kusal Mendis moves in and looks to ramp this over short fine leg, gets it away off the glove and lobs it over the keeper instead but for a boundary. Mendis wouldn't mind one bit of how it goes to the fence.
Romario Shepherd to Kusal Perera, 1 run.Short-pitched, into the body, Perera gets late to the pull and ends up clipping it off the gloves towards leg for one.
Romario Shepherd to Kusal Perera, No run.Good length wide of off, Kusal Perera guides this towards backward point for no run.
Romario Shepherd to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.On a length around off, Kusal Mendis dabs this in front of short third and the two Kusal's steal a single.
Romario Shepherd to Kusal Mendis, No run.On a length around off, Kusal Mendis pushes this towards extra cover for no run.
Gudakesh Motie to Kusal Perera, No run.Too full, around off, Kusal Perera flicks this towards mid-wicket for nothing. An excellent Powerplay ends for Sri Lanka.
Gudakesh Motie to Kusal Mendis, 2 Wides!TWO WIDES! Quicker and fuller, down the leg, Kusal Mendis leaves it and the ball deflects off the pass of Shai Hope towards short leg and the batters run one as well. Wided.
Gudakesh Motie to Kusal Mendis, No run.Too full, on off, Kusal Mendis pushes this towards off for no run.
Gudakesh Motie to Kusal Mendis, Four!FOUR! Excellently swept away for four. Tossed up around middle and leg, Kusal Mendis gets inside the line of it and sweeps this wide to the left of deep square for four runs.
Delay in proceedings as Gudakesh Motie is being given some medical assistance from the team physio. Motie looks good to continue.
Gudakesh Motie to Kusal Perera, 1 run.Too full, around off, Kusal Perera thumps this towards long on for one. Gudakesh Motie in an attempt to field this gets whacked on his bowling arm and he needs some medical attention here.
Kusal Perera joins Kusal Mendis in the middle.
Gudakesh Motie to Pathum Nissanka, OUT! b Gudakesh Motie.OUT! TIMBER! Pathum Nissanka misreads the pace and line and he has to walk back. Arm-delivery, angling into the batter, Pathum Nissanka looks to nudge this off his backfoot towards leg but the ball skids on and keeps low as well. Beats the batter and rattles the timber.
Gudakesh Motie to Pathum Nissanka, No run.Fuller around off, Pathum Nissanka pushes this towards the ring of fielders on off for no run.
Shamar Joseph to Kusal Mendis, No run.Good length, around middle and off, Mendis looks to nudge this towards leg but ends up getting a leading edge just in front of Shamar Joseph towards the off side for nothing.
Shamar Joseph to Kusal Mendis, No run.Excellent from Brandon King. On a length around middle and off, Kusal Mendis punches this on the up into the surface and a boundary written all over it. Brandon King had other ideas as he flies to his left and fields this. Saves four runs for his side.