The West Indies emerged victorious against Sri Lanka in the opening match of their three-game T20I series, adding to Sri Lanka's streak of four consecutive losses in T20 Internationals.
In the 1st T20I held at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, the West Indies secured a 5-wicket win, successfully chasing down Sri Lanka’s total of 179/7. Despite a commendable half-century from Kamindu Mendis that lifted Sri Lanka past 175, their score fell short on a pitch conducive to batting. The West Indies’ opening duo, Brandon King and Evin Lewis, delivered impressive fifties to guide their team to victory.
Brandon King, who received the Player of the Match award, shared his thoughts on the game:
"Thank you. My goal is to give the team a solid start, and I succeeded today. The wicket improved in the second innings, and as openers, we strive to maximise the powerplay. It's great to be back on the field after a couple of months, and I’m pleased we could set the pace in this 180-run chase."
West Indies captain Rovman Powell highlighted the significance of strong individual performances:
"Taking an early lead is vital when playing in Sri Lanka. While the toss can be advantageous, you must always perform at your best. In T20s, individual skills often determine the outcome, and I encourage the team to play their natural game, which proved effective for us today."
Sri Lanka's captain Charith Asalanka acknowledged areas needing improvement:
"The West Indies batters played exceptionally well, but we could have performed better during the powerplay. I tried using Chamindu Wickramasinghe as a part-time bowler, but that strategy didn’t work. We batted well overall, which is encouraging, but our powerplay bowling is a significant concern. We’ll discuss this in our upcoming team meeting before the next match."