OSBOURN, March 8: Fabian Allen hit three mighty sixes in the 19th over to help the West Indies to a series-clinching, three-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the third Twenty20 international.
Chasing Sri Lanka’s modest 131-4, the West Indies were again constrained by Sri Lanka’s spin attack and came to the 18th over at 105-7, needing 27 runs from 18 balls.
Jason Holder, cool and with a plan in mind, blocked out the 18th over, the last from dangerous spinner Wanindudu Hasaranga, save for a six from a free hit which helped break the mounting tension.
With 20 runs needed from the last two overs, Allen hit sixes from the first, third and last balls of the 19th over from Akila Dananjaya to get the West Indies home with an over to spare to clinch the series 2-1.
The match was another low-scoring chapter in a low-scoring series in which all three matches were played on spin-friendly pitches at Coolidge.
For the third time in a row, Sri Lanka chose to bat on winning the toss on Sunday.
The top-order faltered and Sri Lanka found itself with a constant need to reset or rebuild.
Dinesh Chandimal and Ashen Bandera stepped up to produce an unbroken partnership to lift Sri Lanka to 131.
The West Indies made a solid start with Lendl Simmons and Evin Lewis putting on 38 for the first wicket.
Both fell to Hasaranga, who set in motion a slump in the West Indies middle order.
Wrist spinner Lakshan Sandakan removed Rovman Powell (7) and Dwayne Bravo (0) with consecutive deliveries in the 17th over and the momentum of the match seemed to be moving in Sri Lanka’s favour until Allen hit his team home. (AP)
