West Indies have won the 3rd T20 by 5 wickets and just 2 balls to spare in the innings. West Indies completed a memorable comeback at Sabina Park and secured the T20I series 2-1 with a thrilling victory over Sri Lanka.
The hosts produced their highest successful chase at the venue and celebrated a landmark series win after holding their nerve in a tense finish. The result capped off an entertaining contest that swung back and forth before the Caribbean side emerged on top.
After winning the toss West Indies captain Shai Hope chose to bowl first. The decision paid off early as Sri Lanka lost their captain during the opening phase of the innings.
Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara responded with a steady partnership and helped stabilize the innings. However, Sri Lanka struggled to build momentum as wickets fell regularly through the middle overs.
The visitors slipped from a promising position to 111 for 6 and risked finishing with a below-par total.
Nevertheless, Dunith Wellalage provided a late boost. The all-rounder attacked during the closing overs and scored a valuable 41-run cameo that pushed Sri Lanka to a competitive score of 169.
For West Indies, Shamar Joseph delivered an outstanding bowling performance. The fast bowler dominated the final over, claimed three wickets and finished with an impressive five-wicket haul.
The chase began in dramatic fashion when West Indies lost skipper Shai Hope in the first over.
Sri Lanka seized the initiative and kept the pressure on. Dunith Wellalage struck early before Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga tightened their grip on the contest with crucial wickets.
As a result, West Indies stumbled from 52 for 1 to 53 for 4 and found themselves in serious trouble.
At that stage Sri Lanka looked firmly in command and appeared on course to secure the series.
However the match turned when Rovman Powell and Sherfane Rutherford joined forces.
The pair rebuilt the innings with an important partnership worth 81 runs. Their stand steadied the chase and gradually shifted momentum back toward the home side.
Powell played aggressively before departing late in the innings. Even then, West Indies still faced a difficult task, needing 36 runs from the final three overs.
That is when Jason Holder produced a decisive contribution. The experienced all-rounder smashed three sixes in the 19th over and dramatically reduced the target.
Meanwhile Rutherford remained composed throughout the pressure-filled chase. The left-hander made the most of two dropped chances and guided his side home with an unbeaten 54. He also struck the winning runs to complete the comeback.
Sri Lanka will reflect on several missed opportunities that proved expensive.
The visitors dropped Rutherford twice during his innings allowing him to continue building the match-winning partnership. Those missed chances ultimately shifted the outcome of the contest.
In addition the bowling attack struggled during the closing stages. Dushmantha Chameera endured a difficult spell at the death and conceded heavily in consecutive overs, which helped West Indies regain control.
The victory in 3rd T20 from Sri Lanka carried added significance for West Indies. Not only did they seal the series, but they also completed the highest successful T20I chase ever recorded at Sabina Park.
Furthermore the triumph marked a rare bilateral T20I series success for the Caribbean side and provided a major confidence boost for the team.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile fought hard throughout the series and showed resilience after bouncing back in the second match. Yet despite controlling large portions of 3rd T20 against West Indies, Sri Lanka could not close out the contest.
In the end West Indies held their nerve, delivered under pressure and celebrated a record-breaking night in front of their home supporters.