Dambulla, Sri Lanka – An opening partnership of 107 runs between Player of the Match Brandon King and Evin Lewis took West Indies to a comfortable five-wicket win over hosts Sri Lanka in the opening match of their three-match T20 international series.

King, who was in maroon colors for the first time since his injury at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup earlier this year, blasted his way to 63 off 33 balls as the Men in Maroon cruised to victory at 180 for 5 with five balls to spare . , in response to the home team’s 179 for 7.

The 29-year-old King hit 11 fours and a six in his knock, helping the visitors race to 74 in the powerplay without loss.

The right-hander was supported by Evin Lewis, who cracked five fours and four sixes from 28 balls in his even 50.

Lewis, who returned to the international stage for the first time since 2022, picked up 15 runs from one over, bowled by Chamindu Wickramsinghe in the powerplay.

He also hit two sixes in one over from Wanindu Hasaranga before falling to Matheesha Pathirana for 50 off 28 balls in the 10th over.

King continued on his merry way and although Shai Hope fell for 7, he steered the West Indian team within sight of the target before being dismissed by Kamindu Mendis in the 12th over, at 128 for 3.

Captain Rovman Powell and his deputy Roston Chase added 32 for the fourth wicket before the pair fell to 167 for 5 in the 18th over in the space of ten deliveries.

Sherfane Rutherford with 14 not out then carried the regional team over the line with 180 for 5.

Brandon King spoke about the importance of the partnership that broke the chase, saying:

Furthermore, King spoke of the synergy between himself and Lewis,

Earlier, the Windies’ disciplined bowling restricted the hosts to 179 for 7 after captain Rovman Powell brought in the opposition on what was a good wicket to bat on.

Romario Shepherd and Shamar Joseph were responsible for the wickets of Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera in the first four overs, leaving the hosts reeling at 27 for 2.

It was 58 for 3 when Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis was bowled by Gudakesh Motie in the 8th over, before an 82-run fourth wicket stand between captain Charith Asalanka 59 and Kamindu Mendis 51 threatened to take the match away from the visiting West Indies team .

However, the skillful death bowling of the Caribbean men saw Sri Lanka drop from 150 to 4 in the 16th over to end on their score of 179-7.

Shepherd finished with 2 for 39, while there was a wicket each for Shamar and Alzarri Joseph, Motie and debutant Shamar Springer.

The second match of the series will take place on Tuesday at the same venue, starting at 7pm local time/9.30am Eastern Caribbean time/8.30am Jamaica time.