Kusal Mendis and Kusal Perera fifties power SL to series win
West Indies had done well to recover from a poor start and make 162, but it wasn't nearly enough
West Indies had done well to recover from a poor start and make 162, but it wasn't nearly enough
Scorer: @Thilak_Rama | Commentator: Shashwat Kumar
10:35pm Asalanka collects the winner's trophy and then hops over to his teammates. They pose with the trophy and they are all smiles. And that also brings us to the end of our coverage for this T20I series. Lots of cricket lined up in the next few hours, across different countries and you can stay updated with all of it at ESPNcricinfo. Until next time, this is goodbye from Thilak and me. Take care, everyone!
Pathum Nissanka, Player of the Series: I had a plan going in and we planned to take on the spinners. (On the secret to juggling between three formats) Keeping a clear head.
Kusal Mendis, Player of the Match: I am really happy. Pathum played really well in the first six overs and after six overs, I played my game. Little bit turn and it was a little bit slow. Me and Pathum played our normal game in the first six overs. West Indies only had three spinners. After the spinners, playing the fast bowlers can be a little easier (on this pitch).
Charith Asalanka, Sri Lanka captain: Secret was the top order batters batted really well and they gave their best shot (in this game). We played good cricket (even against India) and we just needed a bit of momentum and we did that in the second game. (On if he was concerned losing the toss) Not that much but when they scored more than 160, I was a bit (concerned). But I knew if our top order batted well, we could do well. (On attacking the powerplay) That's the plan from both the openers (laughs). I am really happy and good to win the series and I want to thank every fan of Sri Lanka, staying with us and supporting us.
Rovman Powell, West Indies captain: (On the score) We had enough runs. If at the start of the game, if you said we would get 160 on a turning wicket, we would have taken it. But credit to Sri Lanka. (What they could have done better) Control of the powerplay, had we controlled it better as a bowling group, we would have made a game of it. Giving away 60-70 in the powerplay, it is always tough to come back (from it). Sri Lankan spinners completely out-bowled our spinners, and we knew it would be a showdown of the spinners, about who bowled better and who batted better (against him). Lot of positives when you come to Sri Lanka and push them. My guys gave good efforts, our fast bowlers gave good efforts on these tracks. As a batting group, our guys showed we can play against spin. Want to say thanks to the people of Sri Lanka. They have been very nice to us as a touring time.
10:12pm A superlative run-chase, just when it felt that the West Indies had enough on the board. Nissanka set the tone early and once he departed, it was over to the Kusals. Kusal Mendis top-scored with an unbeaten 68, with Kusal Perera also finishing unbeaten on 55. They smashed the ball to all parts, ran their ones and twos rapidly and put the visitors under immense pressure, which ultimately meant that the West Indies' wheels came off.
An indifferent bowling display. There was enough on offer but the visiting bowlers were either too short or too full. The spinners, meanwhile, were often too quick and could not extract whatever assistance the pitch was providing. They had the runs on the board but on this occasion, they did not have the consistency or the tactical nous to get the job done.
Just three needed now. Can SL finish it off in this over?
Sri Lanka captain Asalanka had earlier this year called for better batting tracks but now defended the pitches, saying turning tracks suited their strengths
West Indies had done well to recover from a poor start and make 162, but it wasn't nearly enough