Sri Lanka – West Indies 3rd T20: Nissanka, Mendis, Perera shine as Sri Lanka clinch series

 Sri Lanka clinched the series 2-1

By M. Shamil Amit reporting from Dambulla

Sri Lanka's openers, Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis, alongside Kusal Perera, delivered a stellar batting performance that powered their team to a commanding nine-wicket victory over the West Indies in the third and deciding T20 at the Rangiri Dambulla Stadium. This emphatic win secured Sri Lanka the three-match series in style.

Nissanka set the pace in Sri Lanka's chase of 163 runs, scoring a quickfire 39 off just 22 balls, including seven boundaries and a six. His 60-run opening partnership with Mendis, which came off 38 balls, laid the foundation for Sri Lanka's pursuit.

After Nissanka's dismissal, Perera joined Mendis and the pair continued to dominate the West Indies bowlers. They brought up Sri Lanka’s 100 runs in just 61 balls, with their second-wicket partnership reaching 50 runs in 36 deliveries. Mendis reached his half-century in 37 balls, hitting three boundaries and three towering sixes.

Perera, equally aggressive, took just 34 balls to complete his fifty, which included six boundaries. The pair brought up their 100-run partnership in 73 balls, effortlessly guiding Sri Lanka to the target with an unbroken second-wicket stand of 106 runs. Sri Lanka reached 163 in the 18th over, sealing the win with ease.

Earlier, West Indies made two changes to their lineup, bringing in left-arm spinner Fabian Allen and batsman Shai Hope, while Sri Lanka fielded an unchanged side. West Indies captain Rovman Powell elected to bat first but suffered an early blow when opener Evin Lewis was dismissed in the first over by Maheesh Theekshana.

Brandon King and Shai Hope attempted to revive the innings, with King hitting 23 off 19 balls before falling to Theekshana. The middle order crumbled under pressure from Sri Lanka’s spin trio of Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, and captain Charith Asalanka, losing four wickets for just 20 runs.

Powell, alongside Gudakesh Motie, led a recovery effort, helping West Indies reach 100 runs in quicker fashion. Motie played a crucial knock, scoring 32 off 15 balls, before being dismissed after a 54-run stand with Powell for the sixth wicket. Powell contributed with another 31-run partnership with Romario Shepherd, lifting West Indies to a total of 162 for 8.

Despite their fightback in the final ten overs, where they added 107 runs, West Indies' score proved insufficient as Sri Lanka chased down the target with 15 balls to spare.
The two sides will play their first of three ODI matches on October 20 at the Pallekele International Stadium.