All-round Fabian Allen and Jason Holder win it for West Indies and power West Indies to 2-1 series win!

West Indies clinched the T20I series 2-1 against Sri Lanka at the – Thanks to the power slog by Fabian Allen and the stabilizer Jason Holder.

Earlier Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews won the toss and elect to bat for the third consecutive time. Sri Lanka went in with the same playing XI while West Indies brought in Rovman Powell in place of Fidel Edwards to strengthen their batting attack which looked vulnerable against spin.

West Indies opened the new ball with spinners Kevin Sinclair and Fabian Allen (4-0-13-1) which proved productive with the wickets of Danushka Gunathilaka (9) and Niroshan Dickwella (4) pushing them on the backfoot at 15/2 in 3.4 overs.

Jason Holder got rid of Pathum Nissanka (5) by the end of powerplay as Sri Lanka went reeling at 27-3. At the half way stage Sri Lanka were 47-4 with the loss of captain Angelo Mathews (11) who was caught behind after a well set up plan by Obed McCoy.

Ashen Bandara joined in Dinesh Chandimal to bring some momentum to the hapless innings. Bandara unleashed himself after a steady start which helped Sri Lanka reach the three figure mark in 16.3 overs. The duo put on a 85 run partnership in 63 balls to power Sri Lanka to 131-4 in 20 overs.

Chasing a modest total of 132 to win the series – Openers Lendl Simmons and Evin Lewis made their intentions clear when they put on 36 runs in 4 overs. It was the introduction of Wanindu Hasaranga that got Sri Lanka break throughs in the form of openers Evin Lewis (21 in 18 balls) and Lendl Simmons (26 in 18 balls).

Captain Pollard departed for a duck and that got Chris Gayle (13) and Nicholas Pooran to bat in a uncharacteristic way looking for singles and stabilize the innings. Lakshan Sandakan bowled out Gayle who lost his patience and attempted for a big shot. Pooran accelerated with 2 sixes off Lakshan Sandakan over but was bowled out the next over in a brilliant last over bout by Dushmantha Chameera.

Lakshan Sandakan picked Rovaman Powell and Dwayne Bravo in back to back deliveries to tilt the advantage towards Sri Lanka. West Indies were 105/7 still needing 27 runs to win in 3 overs with 3 wickets in hand!

The stage was then set for the cool head Jason Holder to spring it up with the powerful striking Fabian Allen. Holder was watchful in the bowling of Wanindu Hasaranga (18th over) but a no-ball and free hit gifted to him was received warmly with a Six which changed the momentum of the game. Sri Lanka now needed 20 to win in 2 overs.

Fabian Allen absolutely went after Akila Dananjaya smashing 6,2,6,1,6 in the 19th over to seal the deal for West Indies. Allen scored 21 runs in just 6 balls and took the match away with imperious hitting! Akila Dananjaya ended with match figures of 4-0-53-0

Playing XIs

Sri Lanka: Danushka Gunathilaka, Pathum Nissanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews (c), Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Ashen Bandara, Thisara Perera, Wanindu Hasaranga, Akila Dananjaya, Lakshan Sandakan, Dushmantha Chameera

West Indies: Lendl Simmons, Evin Lewis, Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Kieron Pollard (c), Jason Holder, Rovman Powell, Fabian Allen, Dwayne Bravo, Kevin Sinclair, Obed McCoy

Toss: Sri Lanka won the toss and elect to bowl

Venue: Coolidge Cricket Ground, Antigua

Match Summary

Sri Lanka 131-4 in 20 overs

Dinesh Chandimal 54*(46) – Ashen Bandara 44*(35)

West Indies 134-7 in 19 overs

Fabian Allen 21*(6) – Jason Holder 14*(23)

Lendl Simmons 26 (18) – Nicholas Pooran 23 (18)

West Indies won by 3 wickets