Tue Oct 15 17:03:46 UTC 2024: ## Sri Lanka Bounce Back with Dominant Win Over West Indies in 2nd T20
**Dambulla, Sri Lanka:** Sri Lanka secured a convincing victory in the second T20 match against the West Indies, bouncing back from their loss in the first game. The win levels the three-match series at 1-1.
Sri Lanka, batting first, set a target of 162 runs for the win, losing 5 wickets in their allotted overs. Opener Pathum Nissanka top-scored with a well-crafted half-century (54), while contributions from Kusal Mendis (26), Kusal Perera (24), and Kamindu Mendis (19) helped Sri Lanka reach a respectable total.
The West Indies chase faltered dramatically, collapsing to a paltry 89 runs. Spin wizard Dunith Wellalage, making his international T20 debut, delivered a mesmerizing spell, claiming 3 wickets for a miserly 9 runs in 4 overs. His performance proved too much for the West Indian batsmen, who struggled to cope with the young spinner’s guile.
Captain Rovman Powell offered some resistance, scoring 20 runs off 17 balls, but it wasn’t enough to salvage the chase. Alzarri Joseph (16 off 10) became the final wicket to fall, ending the West Indies’ hopes of a comeback.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers were on fire. Apart from Wellalage’s exceptional performance, captain Charith Asalanka (2 overs, 6 runs, 1 wicket) and Maheesh Theekshana (3.1 overs, 7 runs, 2 wickets) were also instrumental in dismantling the West Indies batting order. Wanindu Hasaranga chipped in with two wickets, while Matheesha Pathirana took the remaining wicket.
The series now heads to Colombo for the deciding third T20 match. Sri Lanka will be looking to carry their momentum and clinch the series, while the West Indies will be desperate to avoid a series loss.
First Piper 