Sri Lanka’s spinners bamboozled world champions West Indies to claim a 43-run win in the second Twenty20 International at Coolidge Cricket Ground on Friday.
Having lost by four wickets in the opening game on Wednesday, in a game where West Indies skipper Kieron Pollard launched six sixes in an over, the tourists successfully defended 160 on Friday to level the three-match series.
West Indies were all out for 117 in the 19th over as Sri Lanka ended an eight-game losing streak in T20. The final match is at the same venue on Sunday.
Leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga finished with 3-17, off-break bowler Akila Dananjaya, who was the victim of Pollard’s midweek assault but also claimed a hat-trick, had 1-13.
“The wicket was a bit slow. I tried not to give any boundaries. That’s why I was able to bowl well. I bowl after the Powerplay, when Akila bowls. I just concentrate on line-and-length” Wanindu Hasaranga, player of the match, said.
Earlier, Danushka Gunathilaka and Pathum Nissanka had been outstanding at the top of the order. Although they lost a bit of momentum through the middle and late overs, a cameo from Hasaranga dragged them to 160, which proved to be plenty.
