West Indies Open T20I Series with Seven-Wicket Win Over Sri Lanka at Sabina Park

A disciplined bowling display from Jason Holder and Shamar Joseph, with three wickets each, held Sri Lanka to 147 for 9 in the opening T20 international at Sabina Park. Captain Shai Hope then led the reply with an unbeaten half-century, carrying West Indies to a seven-wicket victory with four deliveries still in hand and a 1–0 lead in the three-match series.

Holder, Joseph, and off-spinner Roston Chase combined to slow Sri Lanka after the visitors made a brisk start. During the powerplay, captain Kusal Mendis was given an early reprieve and made the most of it, clearing the rope twice in a costly over as his side reached 39 without loss after four overs. West Indies soon tightened up, and the scoring rate fell away.

Holder struck soon after coming on, ending Sri Lanka’s early momentum. He dismissed Pathum Nissanka for 18 and had Lasith Croospulle trapped lbw first ball for a golden duck on the following delivery, leaving Sri Lanka 43 for 2 in the fifth over. Pavan Rathnayake survived the hat-trick ball but managed only four before Shamar Joseph had him caught at the boundary by Shimron Hetmyer.

Joseph removed Mendis for 36 from 23 balls, and by the end of the eighth over Sri Lanka had slipped to 65 for 4. Kamindu Mendis and Dasun Shanaka rebuilt with 59 for the sixth wicket until Chase had Shanaka out for 22. Kamindu finished as top scorer with 51 off 39 before being run out as the innings wound down. Holder returned figures of 3 for 18, Joseph 3 for 29, and Chase 1 for 19.

In reply, openers Hope and Brandon King raced to 66 inside six overs. King was let off early on a no-ball and later won an lbw review, reaching 37 from 22 before Wanindu Hasaranga bowled him. Hetmyer chipped in 17 from nine balls before Hasaranga removed him too, leaving West Indies 95 for 2 after nine overs.

Hope carried on to mark his 13th T20I fifty from 38 balls. Chase was bowled during the middle overs, but with 20 needed from the last 20 balls West Indies stayed on course. Powell ended the match with a six in the final over.