Oshane Thomas took 5-28 in West Indies’ win over Sri Lanka
Oshane Thomas shredded Sri Lanka with five wickets in total and three in four legal balls as West Indies won the first T20I in Kandy by 25 runs.
SCORECARD | AS IT HAPPENED
The Jamaican quick removed Avishka Fernando for seven and Shehan Jayasuriya and Kusal Mendis for ducks in the second over as Sri Lanka’s top order were razed in their pursuit of 197.
Thomas then dismissed Angelo Mathews (10) and Dasun Shanaka (2) in the fourth and sixth overs respectively to complete his maiden T20I five-for and leave the hosts reeling on 56-5.
However, opener Kusal Perera (66) – who had watched the early chaos unfold from the other end – then put on 87 with Wanindu Hasaranga (44) for the sixth wicket to as Sri Lanka reduced the equation to 54 needed from 28 balls by reaching 143-5.
Kusal Perera’s 66 gave Sri Lanka hope of victory in Kandy
Hasaranga though, was then pinned lbw by Rovman Powell in the 16th over and when Kusal was castled by an Andre Russell yorker in the next, Sri Lanka’s hopes extinguished – the hosts bowled out for 171 in 19.1 overs.
West Indies – thumped 3-0 in the preceding ODI series – posted 196-4 after electing to bat, with Lendl Simmons (67no off 51) top-scoring.
Skipper Kieron Pollard blasted 34 from 15 balls in his 500th T20 match, while Russell cracked four sixes in a 14-ball 35.
West Indies will aim to seal a series victory in the second and final T20 international, also in Kandy, on Friday.
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