Sri Lanka vs West Indies, 1st T20I at Dambulla, Sri Lanka vs West Indies, Oct 13 2024 - Match Result

And with that it's a wrap from us. The action remains in Dambulla for game two, which will be on Tuesday evening. Until then, from Fidel, myself and the rest of the team, have a good one!

Rovman Powell: It's always important when you come to Sri Lanka to take an early lead, we know that Sri Lanka is a team that play excellent cricket at home. [toss?]The toss will always be vital, but it's for any team to throw the first punch. Once you get on top you try to stay on top for as long as possible. [Depth?] Yeah definitely, I spread it through the groupd that individuals have to stand up to be counted, and once they do that, then other members in the team will carry it over the line. [opening stand?] It was a spontaneous in the sense that the both of them played their natural game, we tried to embrace that as a team. It's just a combination that has worked for us."

Charith Asalanka: [Powerplay?] In my point of view, it's more good shots than bad bowling. I should give credit to their batters first of all. But I think we could have done a little better in the powerplay. [plan?] I'm still experimenting, I just wanted to bowl a few overs from Chamindu because he's an allrounder, and a part-time bowler for me. But it didn't work for this match. Might start with Maheesh [Theekshana] in the next matches. [T20 form worrying?] The plus point is that we're playing good cricket. We have to improve a few areas, including our powerplay bowling, that's the main concern as a captain. We'll have a chat and do better in the next games."

Brandon King is Player of the Match for his 63 off 33: "My role is to try and get the team off to a good start. It's a good wicket, so it came off well. [coming back from injury?] It's more mental than anything at this point, and having the confidence in your body to do what you usually do. Being out for a couple of months is tough but I'm really glad to be back. [approach?] Chasing the score like 180, you have to have a good powerplay. Our roles are very clear and we always take that risk to get the team off to a really good start."

Time for the post-match presentation...

Mike Silva : "My chocolate lava cake only just arrived… I guess it's a comisseratory cake rather than celebratory one…"

Akindi: "Win or lose massive respect to the SL bowlers for the comeback and bringing it this far."

Irfan Ahmed: "I was not expecting this match to be finish in last over." --- Yeah I think Sri Lanka can be happy with their death bowling efforts. But they lost the game in the powerplay. Wouldn't be surprised to see one of Binura or Thushara - or both - included in the next game.

11.02pm Well, it got a little nervy towards the end but such was the dominance of the West Indian openers Brandon King and Evin Lewis in the first 10 overs, that no amount of clutch death bowling from Sri Lanka could evade the inevitable. Sri Lanka having been put into bat did well to set a challenging target of 180, courtesy fifties from Kamindu Mendis and Charith Asalanka, but King and Lewis trumped them and then some with a 107-run opening stand in just 9 overs. Once that stand ended, Sri Lanka chipped away, but the chase was always in hand.

4 needed from 6 as the final over begins. Only four fielders out as Sri Lanka are behind the over rate.

West Indies inching home. 5 needed from 7.

6 needed from 8

three twos off the first three deliveries. Smart cricket from the West Indies.

13 needed off 12. We know Pathirana will bowl the last, West Indies will not want it to get that far. Asitha has the ball.

Can Pathirana channel his inner Malinga here? Romario Shepherd is the new batter.

15 needed off 17.

Asalanka has a few words with his ward and moves back to mid-off. Long-on out, deep backward square in place.

Okay, this is the moment you suspect. Pathirana back into the attack to bowl the first of his remaining two overs.

Over the wicket

around the wicket

Sherfane Rutherford is the new batter

21 needed from 25 then. West Indies coasting here. Theekshana to continue. Will they look to end it here?