Sri Lanka Overpowers West Indies in 3rd T20I: West Indies vs Sri Lanka 
Sri Lanka is hosting West Indies for an exciting 3-match T20 series, and after a commanding victory in the third T20I, Sri Lanka has clinched the series 2-1. This match showcased Sri Lanka's impressive performance, further solidifying their triumph. Here’s a detailed review of the West Indies vs Sri Lanka match.
West Indies Put up a Par Total at Dambulla
West Indies won the toss and chose to bat first on a fresh pitch with some cracks, which were expected to remain consistent throughout the match. This match was the series decider and captain Rovman Powell was confident in his decision, aiming for a solid total. Opening batsmen Brandon King and Evan Lewis walked to the crease, with Maheesh Theekshana starting the bowling for Sri Lanka. The innings began with four runs, but disaster struck when Evan Lewis was bowled for a golden duck by Theekshana, ending an eventful first over with just 5 runs and a wicket.
Shai Hope joined Brandon King, and King quickly took on Thusara, hitting a massive six off a slow ball. The powerplay ended with a balanced score of 42/2 as Theekshana dismissed a well-settled Brandon King. West Indies middle order faltered before the 10-over mark, struggling against Wanindu Hasaranga and Kamindu Mendis, who both made early inroads, leaving West Indies at just 55/4.
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Rovman Powell entered the fray and broke the deadlock with a six, shortly after Asalanka dismissed Sherfane Rutherford. It had been a rollercoaster innings for the Windies, oscillating between peaks and troughs. Gudakesh Motie, known for his batting ability, joined Powell, and the pair counter-attacked the Sri Lankan spinners, putting together a quickfire 50-run stand and taking the attack to the bowlers. Motie, who had been batting beautifully, fell to Wanindu Hasaranga, ending their partnership at 54 runs off 26 balls.
Rovman Powell continued to shine alongside Romario Shepherd, who provided the finishing touch, helping West Indies reach a total of 162/8 in their 20 overs—considered a par score on this wicket. Sri Lanka’s spinners found success, with Hasaranga and Theekshana delivering effective spells that kept West Indies in check, despite a few overs being hit for runs.
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Sri Lanka Confidently Chases Down Target
Sri Lanka began their chase with Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis at the crease, while spinner Fabien Allen was handed the new ball to kick off the proceedings. The Powerplay was dominated by Sri Lanka, who flourished from the very first over, with both batters looking comfortable as they attacked each delivery. They raced to 60 runs in just 5 overs, leaving one over remaining in the Powerplay. Gudakesh Motie bowled the final over of this phase and dismissed Nissanka, who scored a brisk 39 off 22 balls, setting a solid foundation for the chase. At the end of the Powerplay, Sri Lanka was well-placed at 67/1.
Despite some decent bowling from the West Indies in the middle overs, Sri Lanka continued to find the boundaries at regular intervals. By the end of 10 overs, they were comfortably positioned at 98/1, needing just 64 runs in 60 balls. Kusal Mendis reached his fifty, and he and Kusal Perera formed a 50-run partnership, further asserting their dominance as West Indies struggled to counter the Sri Lankan attack.
As the innings progressed, Kusal Perera also brought up his fifty, and the duo reached a century partnership, guiding Sri Lanka to a comfortable victory by 9 wickets. After a rocky start to the series, Sri Lanka rebounded impressively to clinch it 2-1, with Kusal Mendis named Player of the Match and Pathum Nissanka earning the Player of the Series award.
The rise of Sri Lankan cricket is evident, showcasing a talented blend of youth and experience. This series concluded on a high note, reflecting their growing strength and depth. As they transition to the ODI format, the team is well-positioned for future success, with promising potential and a solid foundation. Fans can look forward to an exciting journey ahead as Sri Lanka continues to develop and make its mark on the international stage.
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