WI vs SL: Five most memorable T20I encounters between the island nations
West Indies and Sri Lanka are set to play a three-match T20 series starting 4th March 2021. This series will act as a preparatory series before the T20 World Cup to be played in India later in the year. West Indies has recalled some of their experienced players in the form of Chris Gayle and Fidel Edwards in the team. Before the start of the tour, let’s look at the 5 most memorable T20Is played between both teams till now.
Second T20I, West Indies tour of Sri Lanka, 2015
West Indies posted a total of 162/6 in 20 overs in this match. Johnson Charles, Dwayne Bravo and Denesh Ramdin played important knocks for the team. Lasith Malinga and Milinda Siriwardana took 2-wickets each in the bowling department.
While chasing this target, Sri Lanka were once at 93/1 and looked set to successfully chase at that stage. However, Ravi Rampaul and Dwayne Bravo did their magic with the ball and bowled out the Sri Lankan team for 139 runs. Bravo was chosen as player of the match in the 23-run win for the team.
Super 10 match, ICC World T20, 2016
In the T20 World Cup 2016, Sri Lanka and West Indies met in the important super 10 group match. Sri Lanka could only score 122 runs at the loss of 9 wickets in their 20 overs. Spinner Samuel Badree picked up 3 wickets for the West Indies team.
Andre Fletcher scored 84 runs off 64 balls in the chase to take the team to victory. West Indies won this match in 18.2 overs by 7 wickets. They went on to win the title in this World Cup.
1st Semi-final, ICC World T20, 2014
Sri Lanka clashed with West Indies in the first Semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2014. They posted a score of 160/6 in 20 overs while batting first. Tillakaratne Dilshan and Angelo Mathews played important knocks for them.
While chasing this total, West Indies lost their first 3 wickets for only 34 runs. They had scored 80 runs at the loss of 4 wickets in 13.5 overs when the match got interrupted by rain. Sri Lanka were declared the winner by the Duckworth-Lewis method after persistent rain.
2nd Semi-final, ICC World T20, 2009
Sri Lanka put up a total of 158/5 against West Indies when both these teams met in the second semi-final of the T20 World cup 2009. Tillakaratne Dilshan played a magnificent knock of 96 runs off 57 balls with the help of 12 fours and 2 sixes.
West Indies were completely demolished by the Lankan team as they were all out for 101 runs. Chris Gayle turned out to be the lone warrior for them who remained unbeaten on 63 runs off 50 balls.
Final, ICC World T20, 2012
West Indies and Sri Lanka clashed in the final match of the T20 World Cup 2012. While batting first, West Indies had scored 87/5 in 15.3 overs at one stage, and they looked out of the game. However, Marlon Samuels played a brilliant knock of 78 runs off 56 balls to boost the total to 137/6 in 20 overs.
The Sri Lankan team never looked confident in their chase and got bowled out for 101 runs. West Indies won their first title in the T20 format with this win. Samuels was awarded player of the match for his amazing innings.
