KINGSTON: Sherfane Rutherford produced a composed unbeaten half-century while Shamar Joseph’s five-wicket haul set up a dramatic West Indies victory over Sri Lanka in the third T20I at Sabina Park on Sunday, as the hosts clinched the three-match series 2-1.
Chasing a target of 170, the West Indies completed the job in 19.4 overs after a tense finish that swung repeatedly before the Caribbean side eventually held their nerve to seal a thrilling win.
The chase, however, began on the worst possible note as the West Indies lost their captain early in the innings, putting immediate pressure on the top order.
Shimron Hetmyer provided brief resistance with a brisk 32 off 19 balls, but Sri Lanka’s spinners quickly tightened their grip, reducing the hosts to 53-4 inside 8.2 overs.
At that stage, Sri Lanka appeared firmly in control of the contest.
The momentum shifted through a crucial 81-run partnership between Rovman Powell and Sherfane Rutherford, who rebuilt the innings with calculated aggression.
Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel
Powell, who contributed a vital 33, accelerated the scoring in the death overs, striking three sixes in a single over off Dushmantha Chameera in the 17th over before falling on the final delivery of the same over.
With the match finely poised, Rutherford found support from Jason Holder, who delivered a stunning late cameo. Holder smashed three sixes in the 19th over to completely swing the match in West Indies’ favour, reducing the equation to just six runs needed from the final over.
The hosts completed the chase on the fourth ball of the last over, sealing a memorable series victory in front of a jubilant home crowd.
Rutherford remained unbeaten on 54 off 40 deliveries, striking three fours and four sixes, while Holder finished with a blistering 21 not out from just five balls, including three towering sixes.
Earlier, Sri Lanka posted 169 all out in their 20 overs, with Dunith Wellalage top-scoring with 43 off 28 balls. Kamil Mishara added 28, while Pathum Nissanka contributed 26 in a steady but ultimately insufficient batting effort.
Shamar Joseph led the bowling attack for West Indies, taking five wickets for 33 runs, while Akeal Hosein, Matthew Forde, Jason Holder and Roston Chase chipped in with one wicket each..
READ: Reason behind Lamine Yamal not wearing Spain’s No. 10 jersey revealed