KINGSTON: West Indies beat Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the opening T20 International of a threematch series here at the Sabina Park on Thursday.
Rovman Powell hit a six in the final over to steer West Indies to victory.
Despite amassing 66-0 in powerplay West Indies slowed in the chase of 148run target.
Captain and opener Shai Hope led the hosts with an unbeaten 65 off 54 balls with five fours and a brace of sixes.
Fellow opener Brandon King made 37.
Requiring 20 runs off 20 balls, it was reduced to needing a run a ball from nine deliveries before Powell (10 not out) sealed the victory for the home side with four balls remaining.
Earlier after choosing to bat first, Kamindu Mendis top-scored with 51 while captain and opener Kusal Mendis contributed 36.
Pacers Jason Holder (3-18) and Shamar Joseph (3-29) took most of the Sri Lankan wickets.
Sri Lanka won the preceding three-match ODI series 1-0 after the final two matches were washed out.
‘It was a really good bowling performance and credit to our bowlers,’ man-of-thematch Holder said. ‘We always think about getting wickets in the dressing room. I was thinking to attack.
The final two matches of the T20 series are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at the same venue.-Agencies