Bravo excelled with both the bat and ball
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo smashed 31 runs and took four wickets to carry his side to a 23-run win over Sri Lanka in the second Twenty20 International in Colombo.
After opting to bat first, West Indies opener Johnson Charles got things started with a brilliant 34 off 25 balls, which included one boundary and three sixes.
Bravo came in and scored a rapid 31 before wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin provided some late fireworks by hammering an unbeaten 34 off 22 deliveries, which included one boundary and two sixes, as the West Indies finished on 162/6 off their 20 overs.
Sri Lanka captain Lasith Malinga and Milinda Siriwardana picked up two wickets apiece, while Dushmantha Chameera chipped in with one.
Chasing 163 to win, Sri Lanka opener Tillakaratne Dilshan was the only batsman to have a major impact as he walloped 52 off 38 balls, which included five boundaries.
Dilshan scored his second successive fifty
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
With Shehan Jayasuriya being the only other batsman to surpass the 20-run mark, Sri Lanka were eventually bowled out for 139.
Bravo inflicted the most damage with four wickets, while Ravi Rampaul snapped up three and Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard and Jerome Taylor claimed one wicket each.
Malinga was content with his side’s performance despite their loss, and said: “It was a good wicket, toss was important but we were looking forward to bowl. We got a good start from our batsmen. I’m happy with all departments. They could have got 180-190, but restricted them to 160.”
Sammy was ecstatic to have ended the series as a 1-1 draw, and said: “We had a good discussion in our team meeting and we played really well. It was good to see the team learn very fast. We have good memories here. The guys who batted said we should take pace off the ball. We were desperate to get this win. The World T20 is a long way and that was our last game. Guys play around the world so they have to take something from there.”
Bravo was named Man of the Match, and said: “I want to say well played to the entire team. We wanted to plan well and execute. We have very good lower-order hitters. We were happy at the halfway stage. My role is to stabilise things from one end. It was not a 200 wicket. Once we bat first and bat properly, we have a very good bowling line up to defend. Sammy was good again, clear messages to the bowlers. We have batters who can chip in. Our fielding display was very good. We had a very good team meeting this morning.”
Dilshan was named Man of the Series, and said: “I’m in great form, but unfortunately that shot did not go my way. I’m disappointed I didn’t finish the game. It was a gettable target but the bowlers used the pitch really well. I’m enjoying every single ball, every single moment.”