Sri Lanka lose first match to Windies

• Likewise the home team had no difficulty in reaching the target as Rovman Powell smashed Madushanka for a huge six over long-on to bring up the victory with four balls to spare.

West Indies beat Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the first T20 match at Sabina Park yesterday.

West Indies fast bowlers Jason Holder and Shamar Joseph shared six wickets between them before Shai Hope smashed an unbeaten fifty in the chase as West Indies easily brushed aside Sri Lanka to go 1-0 in the three match series.

Sri Lanka opting to bat first were restricted to just 147 which was never enough to defend against the strong West Indies batting line-up.

Likewise the home team had no difficulty in reaching the target as Rovman Powell smashed Madushanka for a huge six over long-on to bring up the victory with four balls to spare.

Holder got into the act early in the match as he accounted for the wickets of Pathun Nissaka bowled for 18 and Lasith Croosepulle leg-before for a first ball duck to put the brakes on the Sri Lanka batting.

Kusal Mendis made 36 but it was left to Kamindu Mendis to anchor the innings which he did with a top score of 51.

West Indies openers Brandon King and Shai Hope set the course for victory by putting on 67 runs for the first wicket in 6.2 overs.

Scores: 

Sri Lanka 147 for 9 in 20 overs (Pathum Nissanka 18, Kusal Mendis 36, Kamindu Mendis 51, Dasun Shanaka 22, Jason Holder 3 for 18, Shamar Joseph 3 for 29)

West Indies 149 for 3 in 19.2 overs (Brandon King 37, Shai Hope 65 not out, Hetmyer 17, Chase 16, R. Powell 10 not out, Wanindu Hasaranga 2 for 32, Eshan Malinga 1 for 26)