WI vs SL: Top five performers from the exhilarating T20I series
West Indies clinched the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka by 2-1. Despite making a comeback through a 43-run win after losing the first encounter by 4 wickets, Sri Lanka failed to keep up the fight in the series-decider, as West Indies clinched the game by 3 wickets. Let’s take a look at the top performers of the series –
5) Lakshan Sandakan (6 wickets in 2 matches)
After missing out on the first game, Sandakan was included in the eleven for the remaining two rubbers. He instantly impressed with a sensational three-for, giving away merely 10 runs, in the second game, which proved crucial in restricting West Indies well short of the target. In the final game too, Sandakan picked three wickets, although his effort went in vain courtesy of Fabien Allen’s heroics.
4) Fabien Allen (33 runs and 2 wickets)
Cometh the hour..cometh the man! In one stroke Fabian Allen seals the series victory for the #MenInMaroon #WIvSL pic.twitter.com/ffFkNliIF6
— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) March 8, 2021
After failing to make a notable contribution in the first two games, Fabien Allen notched up a match-winning show in the series-decider, where his all-round performance led West Indies to an all-important win. Having picked two crucial wickets with the ball in the series, Allen (21 from just 6) whacked three sixes in the penultimate over of the chase in the decider to take the hosts over the line.
3) Pathum Nissanka (81 runs in 3 matches at an SR of 115.71)
Pathum Nissanka, who made his debut in the series, showed great composure in the first two games, however, he failed to click in the final T20I. While Sri Lanka crumbled to 131/9 in the opening game of the series, Nissanka’s 39 from 34 was the only performance of note in the game. He followed that with another decent effort (37 from 23), as he provided Sri Lanka a flying start, alongside Dashun Gunthalika, in a game that they eventually won by 43 runs.
2) Kieron Pollard (51 runs at 175.86 SR; hit six sixes in an over)
You will never have a better Mastercard Priceless Moment than this one! ?? @KieronPollard55 became the 1st West Indian to hit 6 sixes in a T20I over!#WIvSL #MastercardPricelessMoment #MenInMaroon pic.twitter.com/YOGItXOY8H
— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) March 4, 2021
Although, Pollard was dismissed for a three-ball duck in the final game, his 11-ball 38 blitz in the first game, where he notably slammed six sixes against Akila Dananjaya, turned out to be a match-winning effort as he dragged West Indies out of a perilous situation after Dananjaya’s hat-trick. His thrilling carnage meant that West Indies chased the target inside 14 overs and took a 1-0 lead in the series.
1) Wanindu Hasaranga (8 wickets at 5.25 avg)
Wanindu Hasaranga has been able to deliver consistently for his team ever since his LPL 2020 stint. In the current series, he ended up as the leading wicket-taker, as he accounted for 8 wickets. Notably, against a daunting order of batsmen, Hasaranga controlled the flow of runs with admirable consistency. His figures in the series read 3/12, 3/17, and 2/13.
