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Shanaka fireworks ignites series leveller as Sri Lanka chase historic achievement in the Caribbean BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE. (eLanka Sports Editor)
Dasun Shanaka exploded into timely form smashing the fastest half century against the West Indies, 58 off 24 balls, as Sri Lanka rebounded to level the T20 series in Kingston Jamaica.
Shanaka found support from Kamil Mishara, 61 not out off 40 balls playing an important sheet anchor role, as they steered Sri Lanka out of trouble and to 194 for 6 as the bowlers combined to give the tourists a 37-run win.
The hurricane fifth wicket partnership between Shanaka and Mishara produced 103 off 35 deliveries and was a turning point to the game.
For once, in quite a while, Sri Lanka were able to find cohesion with the bowlers who backed them up to defend the target.
After a great start by skipper Kusal Mendis and a strangely sedate Pathum Nissanka who racked up 40 at a little over a run a ball, Sri Lanka lost three quick wickets thereafter suggesting another wasted start.
Mendis is showing that captaincy sits well with him as he blasted 31 off 19 balls with Nissanka only contributing 7 in the 40-run stand.
His dismissal two runs later triggered a minor collapse with Pavan Rathnayake following soon after leaving them 3 for 43.
Kamil Mishara, replacing Lasith Croospulle in the line-up soon took control adding 45 for the fifth wicket with Kamindu Mendis, 24 off 20 balls before they were parted.
At 88 for 4 in the 13th over, another under par total looked ominous for the Lankans until the complete turnaround in the game occurred.
It was then that the fireworks began as the long forgotten Shanaka strode to the crease and with Mishara, they took the Windies attack apart.
Shanaka was in devastating form after a long drought but showed how devastating he can be if he hits his straps.
Together they plundered runs at will to set the total racing to a par score.
West Indies in reply were never allowed to settle as Dushmantha Chameera produced a devastating spell of 3 for 9, Wannindu Hasarsnga 3 for 29, Dunith Wellalage 2 for 26 and Maheesh Theekshana 1 for 34 dismantled their run chase bowling them out for 157 in 18.1 overs.
Only Shevron Hetmyer 36 off 26 balls and Rowan Powell 43 off 26 stood strong as they attempted to chase the target down.
But Sri Lanka’s revised coaching strategy, opening the attack with Dunith Wellalage instead of the established Maheesh Theekshana proved to be a master-stroke as the rising star aided by Chameera threw a spanner in the works of the West Indies batting including getting rid of danger man West Indies skipper Shai Hope early.
With the series is now level, and it opens up Sri Lanka’s hopes of a series sweep and a historic achievement in the Caribbean.
