Cricket is more than just a game in places like Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs West Indies Cricket Team Match Scorecard—it’s a way of life, a passion that brings people together. On October 13, 2024, these two cricketing powerhouses faced off in the first T20I of a three-match series at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium. The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, with explosive batting, clever bowling, and a nail-biting finish that kept fans on the edge of their seats. Let’s dive into the details of this exciting encounter, break down the scorecard, and relive the moments that made this game unforgettable.

Table of Contents

The Setting: Dambulla Under the Lights

The Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, nestled in the heart of Sri Lanka, is known for its lively atmosphere and challenging conditions for bowlers. On this night, the pitch was a batter’s paradise—flat, with just enough bounce to encourage big shots. The West Indies won the toss and elected to bowl first, a decision that suggested they were confident in chasing under the lights. Sri Lankan captain Charith Asalanka, however, had other plans, aiming to set a formidable total with his talented batting lineup.

Sri Lanka’s Innings: A Tale of Resilience and Firepower

Sri Lanka’s batting order was packed with flair, and they were determined to make the most of the batting-friendly conditions. The innings started with a cautious approach, but the West Indies’ bowlers struck early to keep the hosts in check.

Early Wickets and a Shaky Start

The Sri Lankan openers, Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis, walked out to a roaring crowd. However, Romario Shepherd had other ideas. In the third over, Shepherd found the edge of Nissanka’s bat, and Shai Hope, the West Indies wicketkeeper, pouched a simple catch. Nissanka was gone for 11 runs off 10 balls, leaving Sri Lanka at 20/1.

Kusal Perera, known for his aggressive strokeplay, didn’t last long either. Shamar Joseph, the fiery West Indian pacer, bowled a beauty that crashed into the top of Perera’s off-stump. Perera’s brief cameo of 6 runs off 3 balls ended, and Sri Lanka were 27/2 in the fourth over. When Kusal Mendis fell to Gudakesh Motie for 19, bowled by a quicker delivery, Sri Lanka were in trouble at 58/3 after 7.3 overs.

The Mendis-Asalanka Partnership: A Game-Changing Stand

Just when it seemed like the West Indies were in control, Kamindu Mendis and captain Charith Asalanka stepped up. Their 82-run partnership for the fourth wicket was the backbone of Sri Lanka’s innings. Kamindu, fresh off his Test heroics, played with composure, mixing solid defense with elegant drives. Asalanka, on the other hand, was in attacking mode, punishing anything loose with crisp boundaries.

Kamindu reached his fifty first, scoring 51 off 40 balls with 5 fours and 2 sixes. His innings was a blend of caution and aggression, ensuring Sri Lanka didn’t lose momentum. Asalanka, the captain, led from the front, smashing 59 off 35 balls, including 9 fours. Their partnership took Sri Lanka to 140 before Kamindu fell to Shamar Springer in the 16th over, caught by Roston Chase.

Asalanka followed soon after in the 18th over, caught at long-on off Alzarri Joseph’s bowling. His departure for 59 left Sri Lanka at 163/5, but the platform was set for a late flourish.

The Final Push: Rajapaksa and Theekshana

Bhanuka Rajapaksa provided the fireworks in the death overs, scoring a quick 17 off 11 balls with a four and a six. However, a brilliant catch by Motie in the deep ended his stay. Wanindu Hasaranga’s brief appearance ended in a run-out, but Chamindu Wickramasinghe (4* off 3) and Maheesh Theekshana (4* off 1) ensured Sri Lanka finished strongly at 179/7 in their 20 overs.

The West Indies’ bowlers were led by Romario Shepherd, who took 2 wickets for 39 runs. Shamar Joseph and Alzarri Joseph chipped in with one wicket each, while Motie and Springer also claimed a scalp. The West Indies had kept Sri Lanka to a competitive but chaseable total, setting the stage for their explosive batting lineup.

West Indies’ Innings: King and Lewis Steal the Show

Chasing 180, the West Indies needed a strong start, and their openers, Brandon King and Evin Lewis, delivered in spectacular fashion. The duo put on a masterclass in power-hitting, making Sri Lanka’s bowlers look ordinary in the powerplay.

The Powerplay Blitz

King and Lewis came out swinging, taking full advantage of the fielding restrictions. King, in particular, was relentless, charging at the bowlers and lofting them down the ground. By the end of the powerplay, the West Indies had raced to 74/0, with King on 39 off 20 balls (8 fours) and Lewis on 31 off 16 (including a six and several fours). Their aggressive approach put Sri Lanka on the back foot early.

The onslaught continued as the pair brought up a 100-run stand in just 49 balls. Lewis reached his fifty first, scoring 50 off 28 balls with 5 fours and 4 sixes. King followed with a scintillating 63 off 33 balls, including 11 fours and a six. Their 107-run opening stand in 9 overs was a game-changer, tilting the chase firmly in West Indies’ favor.

Sri Lanka’s Fightback: Spinners to the Rescue

Just when it looked like the West Indies would cruise to victory, Sri Lanka’s spinners struck back. Matheesha Pathirana dismissed Lewis in the 10th over, caught by Chamindu Wickramasinghe at short third. Lewis’ 50 had set the tone, but his departure gave Sri Lanka hope.

Wanindu Hasaranga removed Shai Hope (7 off 6) in the next over, catching a leading edge off his own bowling. Kamindu Mendis then got the big wicket of King, who skied one to Kusal Perera at cover. At 128/3 after 11.4 overs, the West Indies were still in control, but Sri Lanka sensed an opportunity.

The Middle Overs: A Tense Battle

Rovman Powell, the West Indies captain, played a steady hand, scoring 13 off 18 balls. However, he fell to Maheesh Theekshana in the 16th over, caught at long-on by Hasaranga. Roston Chase (19 off 16) kept the chase on track but was dismissed by Pathirana in the 18th over, caught brilliantly by Kusal Mendis.

With 13 runs needed off the last 12 balls, the match was still in the balance. Sherfane Rutherford, however, stayed calm. Facing Pathirana in the final over, he lofted the first ball over mid-off for a four, sealing the chase with 5 balls to spare. The West Indies finished at 180/5, winning by 5 wickets.

Key Performances and Moments

Brandon King (West Indies): Named Player of the Match for his explosive 63 off 33 balls, King set the tone for the chase with his fearless batting.
Evin Lewis (West Indies): His 50 off 28 balls complemented King perfectly, ensuring the West Indies dominated the powerplay.
Kamindu Mendis (Sri Lanka): Scored 51 and took a wicket, showcasing his all-round brilliance.
Charith Asalanka (Sri Lanka): The captain’s 59 was crucial in helping Sri Lanka post a competitive total.
Matheesha Pathirana (Sri Lanka): Took 2 wickets for 27 runs, leading Sri Lanka’s late fightback.
Romario Shepherd (West Indies): His 2 wickets and tight bowling in the death overs kept Sri Lanka in check.

The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs West Indies Cricket Team Match Scorecard: A Detailed Breakdown

Below is the complete scorecard for the match, capturing every detail of this thrilling encounter.

Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs West Indies Cricket Team Match Scorecard 1st T20I

Match Details

Date: October 13, 2024
Venue: Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Dambulla
Toss: West Indies won and elected to bowl
Result: West Indies won by 5 wickets (with 5 balls remaining)
Player of the Match: Brandon King (West Indies, 63 off 33 balls)

Sri Lanka Innings (179/7, 20 overs)

Batter	Dismissal	Runs	Balls	4s	6s	SR
Pathum Nissanka	c Hope b Shepherd	11	10	2	0	110.00
Kusal Mendis (wk)	b Motie	19	16	1	1	118.75
Kusal Perera	b Shamar Joseph	6	3	1	0	200.00
Kamindu Mendis	c Chase b Springer	51	40	5	2	127.50
Charith Asalanka (c)	c Lewis b Alzarri Joseph	59	35	9	0	168.57
Bhanuka Rajapaksa	c Motie b Shepherd	17	11	1	1	154.55
Wanindu Hasaranga	run out (Hope)	1	1	0	0	100.00
Chamindu Wickramasinghe	not out	4	3	1	0	133.33
Maheesh Theekshana	not out	4	1	1	0	400.00
Extras	(b 0, lb 3, w 4, nb 0)	7
Total	(7 wickets, 20 overs)	179

Did not bat: Matheesha Pathirana, Asitha Fernando

Fall of Wickets:

20/1 (Nissanka, 2.4)
27/2 (Perera, 3.2)
58/3 (Kusal Mendis, 7.3)
140/4 (Kamindu Mendis, 16.1)
163/5 (Asalanka, 18.2)
171/6 (Rajapaksa, 19.2)
175/7 (Hasaranga, 19.5)

Bowling

Bowler	Overs	Runs	Wickets	Econ
Alzarri Joseph	4	40	1	10.00
Shamar Joseph	4	27	1	6.75
Romario Shepherd	4	39	2	9.75
Roston Chase	4	29	0	7.25
Gudakesh Motie	2	16	1	8.00
Shamar Springer	2	25	1	12.50

Powerplay: 0.1–6 overs, 54 runs, 2 wickets

West Indies Innings (180/5, 19.1 overs)

Batter	Dismissal	Runs	Balls	4s	6s	SR
Brandon King	c Perera b Kamindu Mendis	63	33	11	1	190.91
Evin Lewis	c Wickramasinghe b Pathirana	50	28	5	4	178.57
Shai Hope (wk)	c & b Hasaranga	7	6	1	0	116.67
Roston Chase	c Kusal Mendis b Pathirana	19	16	1	0	118.75
Rovman Powell (c)	c Hasaranga b Theekshana	13	18	1	0	72.22
Sherfane Rutherford	not out	14	12	1	0	116.67
Romario Shepherd	not out	1	2	0	0	50.00
Extras	(b 0, lb 6, w 7, nb 0)	13
Total	(5 wickets, 19.1 overs)	180

Did not bat: Shamar Springer, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph

Fall of Wickets:

107/1 (Lewis, 9.1)
114/2 (Hope, 10.1)
128/3 (King, 11.4)
160/4 (Powell, 16.1)
167/5 (Chase, 17.5)

Bowling

Bowler	Overs	Runs	Wickets	Econ
Chamindu Wickramasinghe	2	27	0	13.50
Asitha Fernando	4	37	0	9.25
Maheesh Theekshana	4	31	1	7.75
Wanindu Hasaranga	4	38	1	9.50
Matheesha Pathirana	3.1	27	2	8.52
Kamindu Mendis	2	14	1	7.00

Powerplay: 0.1–6 overs, 74 runs, 0 wickets

Post-Match Reflections

The West Indies took a 1-0 lead in the series, thanks to their explosive start and composed finish. Captain Rovman Powell praised his openers for setting the tone and emphasized the importance of individual performances in T20 cricket. He noted that playing their natural game was key to their success.

Charith Asalanka, while disappointed, remained optimistic. He acknowledged the West Indies’ brilliant batting but pointed out areas for improvement, particularly in the powerplay bowling. Asalanka hinted at tactical changes, including starting with Maheesh Theekshana in the next game.

What Made This Match Special?

This game was a classic T20 showdown—big hits, quick wickets, and a tense finish. The West Indies’ openers showed how devastating a strong powerplay can be, while Sri Lanka’s spinners reminded everyone of their ability to turn games around. For fans, it was a reminder of why T20 cricket is so thrilling: every ball counts, and momentum can shift in an instant.

Looking Ahead

The second T20I, scheduled for October 15, 2024, promised to be another cracker. Sri Lanka would look to tighten their bowling in the powerplay and capitalize on their spinners’ prowess. The West Indies, buoyed by their win, would aim to seal the series with another strong performance.

The Setting: Dambulla Under the Lights