Mon Oct 14 02:56:43 UTC 2024: ## West Indies Clinch First T20I Against Sri Lanka with Powerful Opening Stand
**Dambulla, Sri Lanka:** The West Indies kicked off their T20 World Cup preparation campaign on a winning note, defeating Sri Lanka by five wickets in the first T20I of the three-match series.
The visitors chased down a target of 180 with five balls to spare, thanks to a blistering opening stand of 107 runs off just 55 deliveries between Brandon King and Evin Lewis. Both openers smashed quickfire fifties, putting the hosts on the back foot from the very first over.
Lewis, returning to the T20I side after missing the 2022 World Cup, struck a six and a four in the first over itself, while King followed suit with two boundaries in the next. The West Indies raced to 74 runs in the powerplay, effectively putting the game out of Sri Lanka’s reach.
King reached his half-century off just 25 balls, smashing a six and a four off Matheesha Pathirana. The duo’s dominance continued, reaching a century partnership in the 9th over. Although Sri Lanka managed to break the partnership by dismissing Lewis in the 10th over, Roston Chase and Sherfane Rutherford’s cameos ensured a comfortable victory for the West Indies.
Earlier, Sri Lankan skipper Charith Asalanka and Kamindu Mendis put on a crucial 82-run partnership for the fourth wicket, helping the hosts recover from a shaky start and post a respectable total of 179. However, it proved to be insufficient as the West Indies’ opening onslaught proved too much for the Sri Lankan bowlers to handle.
The series now moves to Colombo for the next two T20Is, where the West Indies will look to further their World Cup preparations and extend their lead in the series.
First Piper 