SL vs WI, 1st T20I Highlights: West Indies beat Sri Lanka by 5 wickets

Who comes out now? Kamindu Mendis is the new batter in.

Shamar Joseph to Kusal Perera, OUT! CLEANED UP! Shamar Joseph comes 'round the wicket and gets the better of Kusal Perera. The crowd has gone silent. It is a length ball, angled in around off. It shapes in off the deck as well. Kusal Perera stays inside the crease and tries to put it away, but fails to get any bat on it. The ball goes past the blade and disturbs the furniture behind.

Shamar Joseph to Kusal Mendis, Slower and fuller, angled into the pads. Kusal Mendis clips it towards mid on and crosses.

Romario Shepherd to Kusal Perera, FOUR! This is a wonderful looking shot. Kusal Perera has decided to shift gears now. It is a length ball, outside off. Perera hangs back and nails his punch through the gap at covers for a boundary. The third one of this wicket-taking over.

Romario Shepherd to Kusal Perera, Back of a length, on the fourth stump line. Kusal Perera looks to work it point, but it catches the underedge, sneaks past the leg pole. They take two runs.

Who will walk out now? Kusal Perera comes in at number 3.

Romario Shepherd to Pathum Nissanka, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Romario Shepherd has the last laugh here. Pathum Nissanka gets a couple of boundaries to his name, but takes the early walk back to the dressing room. Romario Shepherd goes short this time, wide of off. Pathum Nissanka eyes lit-up. He goes for the cut shot, but only manages to get a thick outside edge. Shai Hope makes no mistake behind the stumps.

Romario Shepherd to Pathum Nissanka, FOUR! Consecutive boundaries, and on both occasions the batters wasn't in control. Romario Shepherd follows the batter with a full one, outside leg. Pathum Nissanka goes back, and gets it to fine leg off the inside edge. The ball runs down to the fine leg fence.

Romario Shepherd to Pathum Nissanka, FOUR! EDGY! First boundary for Sri Lanka. It is a bumper, angled into the body once again. Pathum Nissanka backs away a bit, and swings hard across the line. The ball catches the top-edge and flies over the keeper's head for four runs.

Romario Shepherd to Kusal Mendis, Romario Shepherd starts with a short ball, around middle. Kusal Mendis pulls it to deep square leg for a run.

Shamar Joseph to Kusal Mendis, Short ball, outside off. Kusal Mendis cuts it to deep point for one.

Shamar Joseph to Pathum Nissanka, LEG BYE! It is a length ball, nipping in from outside off. Pathum Nissanka is cramped for room. He looks to defend it out from inside the crease but misses. The ball goes in front of slip off the thigh pads. They cross for a leg bye.

Shamar Joseph to Pathum Nissanka, Back of a length, outside off. Pathum Nissanka punches it to point off his back foot.

Shamar Joseph to Pathum Nissanka, WIDE! Shamar Joseph errs in his line this time. He goes very full, but way down the leg side.

Shamar Joseph to Pathum Nissanka, Back of a length, outside off. Pathum Nissanka lets it be.

Shamar Joseph to Pathum Nissanka, A length ball, around off, shaping away a bit. Pathum Nissanka gets it through cover-point off outer half. They take two runs.

Shamar Joseph to Pathum Nissanka, Shamar Joseph starts his spell with a peach of a delivery. It is good-length ball, that lands outside off and nips away just a bit. It is a scrambled seam delivery. Pathum Nissanka gets on his toes and looks to block it away but misses.

Who will share the new ball? Shamar Joseph to attack from the other end.

Alzarri Joseph to Kusal Mendis, CLOSE! It is a short ball, outside off. Mendis frees his arms and goes for the cut shot, but gets beaten on the outside edge this time.

Alzarri Joseph to Pathum Nissanka, LEG BYE! Good length, angled into the pads. Pathum Nissanka is caught inside the crease, as this skids through. He looks to flick it away but misses. The ball rolls towards short fine off the thigh pads. They collect a leg bye.

Alzarri Joseph to Kusal Mendis, This is full, wide of off. Kusal Mendis bunts it to the right of extra covers. Rovman Powell makes a meal of it as he dives over it. The batters take three runs.

Alzarri Joseph to Kusal Mendis, BEATEN! Good length this time, outside off. This one nips away a bit. Kusal Mendis looks to hit it away from his body but gets beaten on the inside edge here.

Alzarri Joseph to Kusal Mendis, WIDE! It is a bumper this time, sliding down leg. Kusal Mendis looks to hook it away but misses. Wide called.

Alzarri Joseph to Kusal Mendis, Alzarri Joseph dishes a full ball, inswinging as well. Kusal Mendis stays deep inside the crease and blocks it into point. Right under his eyes as well.

Alzarri Joseph to Pathum Nissanka, Pathum Nissanka and Sri Lanka open their account instantly. It is a length ball, outside off. Nissanka waits for it, opens the face late and guides it down to deep third for a single.

Right then, we are done with all the pre-match proceedings. This 3-match T20I series is set to kick-off. West Indies players stride out and take the field. Followed by Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis who stride out to open for the hosts. It will be Alzarri Joseph to start with the new ball.

The crowd has turned up in huge numbers. The cheers only get louder as the two teams stride out and line-up for their respective national anthems. It is going to be West Indies' first, followed by one for the hosts.

Charith Asalanka, the captain of Sri Lanka says that they would have opted to bowl first as well, considering the weather conditions. He expressed his anticipation for beginning the preparations for the 2026 World Cup.

Rovman Powell mentioned that West Indies will bowl first due to the uncertain weather conditions and the wet field. He expressed hope that the bowlers could take advantage of the conditions. Reflecting on the team's recent form, Powell added that they have performed very well over the last 12 to 15 months.

West Indies (Playing XI) - Evin Lewis, Brandon King, Shai Hope (WK), Roston Chase, Romario Shepherd, Rovman Powell (C), Sherfane Rutherford, Shamar Springer (On T20I Debut), Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph.

Sri Lanka (Playing XI) - Kusal Mendis (WK), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (C), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Asitha Fernando.

TOSS - The coin goes up and lands in favour of West Indies. They will BOWL first.