Jason Holder and Shamar Joseph led a strong bowling effort taking three wickets each as West Indies restricted Sri Lanka to 147 for 9, while captain Shai Hope then anchored the chase with an unbeaten half-century, guiding West Indies to a comfortable seven-wicket win with four balls to spare in the first T20I at Sabina Park in Jamaica.
West Indies took a 1–0 lead in the three-match series, after a strong all-round bowling effort helped secure victory. Jason Holder and Shamar Joseph, alongside off-spinner Roston Chase, played key roles in restricting Sri Lanka after an early strong start.
Sri Lanka initially looked promising during the powerplay, with captain Kusal Mendis given a lifeline early on. He capitalised after, hitting two sixes in an expensive over to help his side race to 39 without loss after four overs but West Indies soon regained control through disciplined bowling to halt their progress.
Jason Holder made an immediate impact after being introduced into the attack, striking early to break Sri Lanka’s momentum.
He removed Pathum Nissanka for 18 and trapped Lasith Croospulle lbw for a golden duck on the very next delivery, putting Sri Lanka under pressure at 43 for 2 in the fifth over.
Holder was then denied a hat-trick when Pavan Rathnayake survived, but he did not last long, falling for just four after a sharp boundary catch off the bowling of Shamar Joseph, brilliantly taken by Shimron Hetmyer.
The collapse continued as Joseph struck again, removing Mendis for 36 off 23 balls. By the eighth over, Sri Lanka were reeling at 65 for 4.
Kamindu Mendis and Dasun Shanaka added a 59-run stand for Sri Lanka’s sixth wicket, but momentum shifted again when Roston Chase dismissed Shanaka for 22.
Kamindu top-scored with 51 off 39 balls before being run out, as Sri Lanka’s innings faded at the end.
The West Indies attack stayed in control, with Jason Holder taking 3 for 18 and Shamar Joseph 3 for 29, while Chase was economical with 1 for 19.
West Indies openers Shai Hope and Brandon King gave their side a quick start, putting on 66 runs in six overs to take control of the chase.
King survived early reprieves, including a dropped catch off a no-ball and a successful lbw review, but after reaching 37 off 22 balls, King was bowled by a delivery from Wanindu Hasaranga.
Shimron Hetmyer made a quick17 off 9 balls, before falling to Wanindu Hasaranga, leaving West Indies 95 for 2 after nine overs.
Hope went on to anchor the chase, reaching his 13th T20I half-century off 38 balls, while Roston Chase struggled and was bowled.
The West Indies needed 20 runs from 20 balls and despite a tight penultimate over, they stayed in control, and Rovman Powell finished the match in style with a six off the final over to seal victory.
