Andre Russell hit six sixes in a blistering 14-ball innings as West Indies smashed their way to a seven-wicket victory over Sri Lanka and seal the two-match T20I series on Friday. West Indies’ bowlers limited Sri Lanka to 155 for six and then Brandon King struck 43 off 21 balls and Russell made 40 off just 14 balls as West Indies raced to 158 for three in 17 overs. The home team needed something special from their talisman Lasith Malinga with the ball, but the captain’s three overs cost 46 runs as King (43) set the tone with back-to-back sixes in the powerplay.
With pallekele drubbing on Friday, Under Malinga’s captaincy Sri Lanka has now lost 13 T20Is out of 14 since December 2018. Moreover, yesterday’s loss was 7th straight defeat in shortest format for Sri Lanka under Malinga’s leadership. The team that whitewashed world’s number one T20 team Pakistan just few months ago, has once again lost it’s plot under Malinga’s captaincy.
However, Malinga is still optimistic about team’s performance in the remaining 12 games before the T20 world cup in Australia later in the year.
“I think this surface we needed more runs. 150 is enough to fight with on a slow pitch, but Wanindu’s (Hasarnga’s) injury hurt us. We needed early wickets defending 155, we didn’t get those. I feel bowling is not on top because we are not picking up many wickets. In the next 12 games we need to find consistency and confidence. Definitely (fielding has improved), players and support staff putting in a lot of effort and that’s why there is improvement” an optimistic Lasith Malinga said during the post match presentation.
