Holder and Joseph set up West Indies win over Sri Lanka in first T20I

Both took three wickets as Sri Lanka were held to 147 for nine, before Shai Hope’s unbeaten half-century sealed a seven-wicket win at Sabina Park.

By SKN Daily StaffTuesday, 16 June 20261 min read

KINGSTON, Jamaica. Jason Holder and Shamar Joseph took three wickets each as the West Indies restricted Sri Lanka to 147 for nine, before captain Shai Hope anchored the chase with an unbeaten half-century to secure a seven-wicket win with four balls to spare in the first T20I at Sabina Park in Jamaica.

The victory gives the West Indies a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Holder strikes

Sri Lanka started well, with captain Kusal Mendis surviving an early chance and hitting two sixes in one over as his side raced to 39 without loss after four overs.

Holder then made an immediate impact, removing Pathum Nissanka for 18 and trapping Lasith Croospulle lbw first ball to leave Sri Lanka on 43 for two in the fifth over. He was denied a hat-trick, but Pavan Rathnayake soon fell for four, caught on the boundary by Shimron Hetmyer off Joseph.

Joseph then removed Mendis for 36 off 23 balls, and by the eighth over Sri Lanka were 65 for four.

Kamindu Mendis and Dasun Shanaka added 59 for the sixth wicket before Roston Chase dismissed Shanaka for 22. Kamindu top-scored with 51 off 39 balls before being run out.

Holder finished with three for 18, Joseph three for 29 and Chase one for 19.

Hope anchors chase

Hope and Brandon King put on 66 in six overs. King survived a dropped catch off a no-ball and a successful lbw review before being bowled by Wanindu Hasaranga for 37 off 22 balls.

Hetmyer made a quick 17 off nine balls before also falling to Hasaranga, leaving the West Indies on 95 for two after nine overs. Chase struggled and was bowled.

Hope reached his 13th T20I half-century off 38 balls. Needing 20 from 20 balls, the West Indies stayed in control despite a tight penultimate over, and Rovman Powell sealed victory with a six in the final over.