KING AND LEWIS POWER WINDIES TO SERIAL LEAD AGAINST SRI LANKA IN T20S

Dambulla, Sri Lanka – A 107-run opening partnership between Player of the Match Brandon King and Evin Lewis gave the West Indies a comfortable five-wicket win over hosts Sri Lanka in the opening game of their three-match international T20 series.

King, appearing in maroon for the first time since his injury at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup earlier this year, stormed to 63 off 33 balls as the men in maroon claimed victory on 180 for 5 with five balls to spare, as Reacting to the home team's 179 for 7.

The 29-year-old King hit eleven fours and one six, allowing the guests to score 74 points without loss in the power play.

The right-hander received support from Evin Lewis, who hit five fours and four sixes in his balanced 50 from 28 balls.

Lewis, returning to the international stage for the first time since 2022, managed 15 runs from an over and was bowled by Chamindu Wickramsinghe in the powerplay.

He also hit two sixes in one over from Wanindu Hasaranga before falling in the 10th over to Matheesha Pathirana, who scored 50 off 28 balls.

King continued on his merry way and although Shai Hope failed for 7, he brought the West Indies team within sight of the target before being dismissed by Kamindu Mendis at 128 for 3 in the 12th over.

Captain Rovman Powell and his deputy Roston Chase added 32 for the fourth wicket before the pair fell within ten deliveries at 167 for 5 in the 18th over.

Sherfane Rutherford, who had 14 not outs, then brought the regional team over the finish line with a 180 and 5 points.

Brandon King spoke about the importance of the partnership that has broken the back of hunting, saying:

Additionally, King spoke about the synergy between him and Lewis.

Earlier, the Windies' disciplined bowling restricted the hosts to 179 for 7 after captain Rovman Powell put the opposition on a wicket well suited to batting.

Romario Shepherd and Shamar Joseph took the wickets of Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera in the first four overs to leave the hosts reeling at 27-2.

It was 58 for 3 when Sri Lanka's Kusal Mendis was bowled by Gudakesh Motie in the 8th over, before an 82-run fourth wicket stand between captain Charith Asalanka (59) and Kamindu Mendis (51) threatened to take the game to the visiting West Indies team take.

However, skilful death bowling from the Caribbean men saw Sri Lanka slide from 150-4 in the 16th over to reach a final score of 179-7.

Shepherd finished with 2 for 39, while there was a wicket each for Shamar and Alzarri Joseph, Motie and debutant Shamar Springer.

The second game of the series will take place on Tuesday at the same venue, starting at 7:00 p.m. local time/9:30 a.m. Eastern Caribbean Time/8:30 a.m. Jamaica time.