Preview by AkshayaKrishna Polya
After washing out two of three ODIs, the weather held up well enough to have a full game of cricket on Thursday evening at Sabina Park as West Indies began the three-match T20I series with a thumping seven-wicket win. Jason Holder and Shamar Joseph set the tone with the ball before skipper Shai Hope and the local boy Brandon King killed the chase in the powerplay.
Sri Lanka were dominant in the only ODI of the three scheduled due to inclement weather, but couldn't carry the performance into the shortest format despite winning the toss and opting to bat first, courtesy of three wicket hauls from Holder and Shamar.
Skipper Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka gave a solid start, but Holder continued his IPL form into the international arena to send the latter and newbie Lasith Croospulle to the pavilion in successive deliveries. Shamar came to the party, removing Pavan Rathnayake cheaply and Kusal after he set the stage on fire.
However, the vice-captain Kamindu Mendis and former captain Dasun Shanaka rebuilt with a stubborn 59-run stand after Sri Lanka were reduced to 65/4 at one stage. Roston Chase broke this stand, but Kamindu held an end up to score a fifty and was run out in the last over. Despite the southpaw's half-century, the Lankan lower order collapsed, and the tourists were restricted to 147/9.
King went berserk, while Hope anchored at the other end. The Jamaican crowd was vibrant to see their local lad go hammer and tongs in the powerplay. They added 67 runs for the opening wicket, before King's knock came to an end on 37 off 22 balls, with Wanindu Hasaranga drawing the first blood for the tourists. Shimron Hetmyer came in and blazed a quick cameo, but Hasaranga had his number too. Chase struggled throughout his 26-ball 16 before Eshan Malinga ended his torturous stay in the middle. Hope hit a fifty and remained unbeaten on 65 off 54 balls, while another local boy, Rovman Powell, hammered the finishing blow in the last over.
The second T20I will also take place at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica, on Saturday evening (June 13). Sri Lanka will hope to bounce back and level the series, while the hosts will aim to seal the deal with a game in hand. Join us for its live coverage at 5 AM IST on Sunday, 6:30 PM Local Time on Saturday!