In a thrilling encounter at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Sri Lanka secured a commanding victory over the West Indies, winning the second T20I by 73 runs. With this win, Sri Lanka levelled the three-match series at 1-1, showcasing their resilience and talent on home soil.
Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat first, putting together a competitive total of 162 runs for the loss of five wickets in their 20 overs. Pathum Nissanka played a pivotal role in the innings, earning the Player of the Match award for his solid performance of 54 runs off 49 balls. Nissanka’s innings included nine boundaries and a six, effectively anchoring the Sri Lankan innings. He received support from Kusal Mendis, who contributed 26 runs, and Kusal Perera, who added another 24 runs to the tally.
The West Indies bowlers struggled to contain the Sri Lankan batsmen, with Romario Shepherd and Shamar Joseph taking two wickets each. Despite a valiant effort from the West Indies bowlers, the Sri Lankan batsmen maintained a steady run rate, finishing with a total of 162 runs at an impressive strike rate of 8.10.
Chasing a target of 163, the West Indies had a disastrous start, losing their top-order batsmen cheaply. Dunith Wellalage was the standout bowler for Sri Lanka, claiming three wickets for just nine runs in his four overs. Maheesh Theekshana also shone with the ball, taking two wickets and conceding only seven runs in a superb performance. The West Indies crumbled under pressure, managing to score only 89 runs in 16.1 overs, well short of the target.
The fall of wickets came at regular intervals for the West Indies, with Brandon King, Evin Lewis, and Roston Chase all dismissed cheaply. Rovman Powell’s 20 runs off 17 balls was the only significant contribution from the West Indies, but it was not enough to steer the team toward a successful chase.
In short, Sri Lanka’s win in the second T20I against West Indies was a comprehensive one, marked by strong individual performances and a disciplined bowling attack. The series is now tied, setting the stage for a thrilling decider in the final match. Fans eagerly await the conclusion of this exciting series, hoping for another competitive showdown between these two teams.
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