After pulling off a high-scoring run chase in the first T20I, West Indies batters failed the spin trial in Dambulla as they were bowled out for 89, their lowest total against Sri Lanka. Only three batters scored in double digits whereas top four batters failed to make an impact in the run chase of 163, losing the match by 73 runs.
Nissanka’s patient fifty
Charith Asalanka won the toss and opted to bat first. On a track which had enough for spinners, Sri Lankan openers Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis shared a 77-run partnership from 10 overs. Shamar Springer broke the partnership as the wicketkeeper-batter fell after scoring 26 runs from 25 balls. Kusal Perera contributed with a 16-ball 24 cameo before falling to Joseph. In the 16th over, Nissanka reached his half-century from 37 balls. He got knocked over by Alzarri Joseph in the same over for a 49-ball 54 laced with nine fours and a six.
Skipper Asalanka failed to make an impact and got bowled by Romario Shepherd. In-form batter Kamindu Mendis contributed with a 14-ball 19 cameo. He lost his wicket to Shepherd in the final over. Wanindu Hasaranga finished the innings with a boundary helping Sri Lanka post 162/5.
Wellalage’s triple strike
Dunith Wellalage bowled a wicket-maiden and got half-centurion of previous game, Brandon King stumped in the third over. The Maheesh Theekshana dismissed Evin Lewis lbw as he managed to score just seven runs from 13 balls. In his second over, Wellalage got Roston Chase out for a three-ball duck. West Indies were 21/3 after powerplay overs. Wellalage continued to dazzle and dismissed Andre Fletcher who managed to score just four runs from 11 balls. In the ninth over, Sherfane Rutherford ended the drought of boundaries.
No fightback from West Indies
Gudakesh Motie was promoted up the order but he got bowled by skipper Asalanka. In the same over, he dismissed Rutherford as well. The visitors were 40/6 at the halfway stage. Hasaranga was introduced into the attack and he trapped Shepherd in front of the wickets. Skipper Rovman Powell hit the first six of the innings in the 13th over. But he lost another partner as Hasaranga dismissed Springer. Hasaranga's third over was expensive as he went for two fours and a six. But it wasn't enough to revive the run chase. Mattheesha Pathirana got rid of Powell who scored 20 runs from 17 balls. On the first ball of the 17th over, Theekshana ended Joseph's cameo as West Indies were bowled out for 89.
The decider will be played at the same venue on October 17.
