WI vs SL, 2nd T20: Gunathilaka, Hasaranga shine as Sri Lanka display all-round performance to level series

New Delhi: Sri Lanka displayed an all-round performance to defeat West Indies by 43 runs on Saturday in the second T20I of the three-match series here at the Coolidge Cricket Ground.

With this win, Sri Lanka has now levelled the three-match series at 1-1. Both teams would now lock horns in the third and final T20I on Sunday.

Chasing 161, Windies got off to a steady start as the side managed to post 45/1 after the first six overs. However, from there on, things went southwards as no batsmen were able to stay at the crease for a long and the hosts were reduced to 66/6 in the 11th over.

Captain @Angelo69Mathews is pulling all the right strings.

Dushmantha Chameera knocks over Dwayne Bravo and Nicholas Pooran in one over to leave the West Indies in trouble.#WIvSL | https://t.co/4BikGkRjTS pic.twitter.com/E7cVlKFKhV

— ICC (@ICC) March 6, 2021

Lendl Simmons (21), Chris Gayle (16), Evin Lewis (6), Nicholas Pooran (8), Jason Holder (9), and Dwayne Bravo (2) all disappointed with the bat, and the hosts were left reeling.

In the end, Windies were bundled out for 117 in the 19th over and Sri Lanka gained a 43-run win. For the visitors, Wanindu Haasaranga and Lakshan Sandakan scalped three wickets each.

Earlier, Gunathilaka’s knock of 56 helped Sri Lanka post 160/6 in the allotted twenty overs.

Chris Gayle falls for 16 but not before hitting this sweet six ?#WIvSL | https://t.co/hnsXnTirnDpic.twitter.com/VhPzNh8HBZ

— ICC (@ICC) March 6, 2021

Openers Gunathilaka (56) and Pathum Nissanka (37) provided a solid start to Sri Lanka as the duo put on 95 runs for the first wicket inside 11 overs.

However, West Indies staged a stunning comeback in the latter half of the innings as the hosts gave away just 64 runs in the final 10 overs of the innings.

A brilliant spell!??#WIvSL pic.twitter.com/YysVt2SOpJ

— Sri Lanka Cricket ?? (@OfficialSLC) March 6, 2021

For West Indies, Dwayne Bravo returned with two wickets while Jason Holder and Obed McCoy picked one wicket each.

Brief Scores: Sri Lanka 160/6 (Gunathilaka 56, Pathum Nissanka 37, Dwayne Bravo 2-25); West Indies 117 (Obed McCoy 23, Lendl Simmons 21, Lakshan Sandakan 3-10). (ANI)