Wed Oct 16 08:16:54 UTC 2024: ## Sri Lanka Thrash West Indies in Dominant T20 Victory
**Dambulla, Sri Lanka:** Sri Lanka roared back to level the three-match T20 series against the West Indies with a resounding 73-run win on Tuesday. This victory, their sixth-largest T20 win against any team, marked their largest ever margin of victory over the Caribbean side.
The dominant performance at Dambulla saw Sri Lanka restrict the West Indies to a paltry 89 runs in 16.1 overs, their lowest total against Sri Lanka in T20 Internationals. This was achieved thanks to a relentless spin attack that claimed nine wickets, with only three overs of pace bowled.
Debutant all-rounder Dunith Wellalage was the star of the show, finishing with impressive figures of 3-9 in four overs. His stunning performance included the dismissal of Brandon King with a sharp stumping in his first over and the wicket of Roston Chase at slip. Wellalage’s efforts were supported by Maheesh Theekshana, Charith Asalanka, and Wanindu Hasaranga, who each claimed two wickets.
Earlier, Sri Lanka set a competitive target of 163 runs thanks to a solid opening partnership of 72 runs between Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka. Nissanka top-scored with 54 off 49 balls, while contributions from Kusal Perera and Kamindu Mendis helped push the total past 160.
West Indies captain Rovman Powell admitted that his team “didn’t bat well” and conceded that Sri Lanka had used “the conditions well”. However, he remains optimistic for the series decider, saying, “We will look back at things and reassess things and bounce back”.
The series now heads to a thrilling finale on Thursday, also at Dambulla, with Sri Lanka looking for an upset series victory against the higher-ranked West Indies. The T20 series will be followed by a three-match ODI series.
First Piper 