Chameeras Three-Wicket Blitz Seals Sri Lankas Series-Levelling Win in Kingston

Sri Lanka won by 37 runs in the 88th match of 132 in the 2026 T20 Internationals season at Sabina Park, Kingston. After posting 194/6 in their 20 overs, Sri Lanka’s bowlers dismantled the West Indies chase, bowling them out for 157 in 18.1 overs. The result levels the two-match series at 1-1 after the West Indies won the first T20I by seven wickets two days ago.

First Innings – Sri Lanka 194/6 (20 overs)

West Indies won the toss and put Sri Lanka in to bat. The early signs looked promising for the hosts when Pathum Nissanka fell for 7 off 10 balls with the score on 40 in the fifth over. Kusal Mendis followed quickly, caught for 31 off 19 (two fours, two sixes, SR 163) at 42 for 2 in the sixth over. Pavan Rathnayake contributed just 1 off 6 before departing at 43 for 3 in the seventh over, leaving Sri Lanka in a tricky position.

Kamil Mishara and Kamindu Mendis steadied the innings with a partnership that took the score from 43/3 to 88/4 in the 13th over. Kamindu Mendis made 24 off 20 (two sixes, SR 120) before falling caught. That brought Dasun Shanaka to the crease – and he changed the complexion of the innings entirely. Shanaka smashed 58 off just 24 balls at a strike rate of 242, hitting five fours and four sixes. His partnership with Mishara added 103 runs, taking Sri Lanka from 88/4 to 191/5. Mishara finished unbeaten on 61 off 40 (four fours, three sixes, SR 153), anchoring the innings superbly while Shanaka provided the fireworks. Wanindu Hasaranga was bowled for 1 off the last ball as Sri Lanka closed on a formidable 194/6.

For the West Indies, Shamar Joseph was the pick of the bowlers with 3/32 from his four overs (Econ 8.00). Matthew Forde took 2/38 from four overs but went at 9.50 an over, while Romario Shepherd conceded 41 from three wicketless overs at an economy of 13.67.

Second Innings – West Indies 157/10 (18.1 overs)

The West Indies chase started disastrously. Shai Hope was trapped LBW for 6 off 4 balls with the score on just 7 in the first over, and Brandon King followed for 2 off 3, also LBW, at 9 for 2 in the second over. Dushmantha Chameera was responsible for both early strikes, setting the tone for what would be a devastating spell.

Shimron Hetmyer (36 off 26, four fours, two sixes) and Rovman Powell (43 off 26, five fours, two sixes, SR 165) rebuilt impressively, adding 81 for the third wicket and taking West Indies to 90/2 in the 10th over. The required rate was manageable. Then it all fell apart. Hetmyer was run out at 90 for 3 in the 10th over, and Powell was caught just one run later at 91 for 4 – two wickets for one run in four balls. Romario Shepherd was LBW for a golden duck at 108/6 in the 13th over, and the lower order could not recover.

Akeal Hosein hit a rapid 14 off 6 (two sixes) and Shamar Joseph finished unbeaten on 11 off 4 (one four, one six, SR 275), but it was too little too late. Roston Chase was the last man out for 17 off 17, caught off Chameera to end the innings at 157 all out in 18.1 overs.

Chameera finished with sensational figures of 3/9 from 3.1 overs at an economy of 2.84 – a masterclass of pace bowling in Kingston. Wanindu Hasaranga was equally important with 3/38 from four overs (Econ 9.50), while Dunith Wellalage chipped in with 2/28 from three overs.

Statz MVP

Dushmantha Chameera earns the Statz MVP award with a match impact rating of 127.7, the highest figure of the match by some distance. His 3/9 from 3.1 overs at an economy of 2.84 essentially decided the contest – the Statz algorithm calculates impact based on match context, and Chameera’s early breakthroughs and closing wicket registered as the most influential contributions of the game.

Interestingly, the official Player of the Match award went to Dasun Shanaka for his blistering 58 off 24 balls. While Shanaka’s innings was spectacular, the Statz data suggests Chameera’s bowling spell had a greater impact on the outcome – his early wickets at 7/1 and 9/2 put West Indies on the back foot from ball one, and his return to dismiss Chase sealed the deal.

Top 5 Statz Ratings

1. Dushmantha Chameera (SL) – 127.7 – 3/9 from 3.1 overs, economy 2.84. Two early LBWs and the final wicket to close out the match.
2. Shamar Joseph (WI) – 105.5 – 3/32 with the ball and an unbeaten 11 off 4 at a strike rate of 275. Top all-round contribution for the losing side.
3. Dasun Shanaka (SL) – 101.1 – The official Player of the Match. 58 off 24 at a strike rate of 242, with five fours and four sixes. Turned a tricky 88/4 into a commanding 194/6.
4. Kamil Mishara (SL) – 64.4 – Top scorer with an unbeaten 61 off 40. Four fours, three sixes. Anchored the innings from number three through all 20 overs.
5. Matthew Forde (WI) – 62.9 – 2/38 from four overs and a cameo 8 off 6 with the bat. The best-rated West Indian behind Joseph.

Turning Point

The match swung decisively in the 10th over of the chase. Shimron Hetmyer was run out at 90/3 after a 81-run partnership with Rovman Powell, and Powell himself was caught just four balls later at 91/4. Two wickets for one run in four deliveries – the required rate ballooned from manageable to 14-plus an over, and the West Indies never recovered. From 90/2 and cruising, the hosts collapsed to 108/6 within two overs.

Match Context

This was the 88th match of 132 in the 2026 T20 Internationals season. In the ICC T20I rankings, West Indies sit 7th (rating 233 from 55 matches) while Sri Lanka are 9th (rating 221 from 43 matches). Sri Lanka’s victory levels the series at 1-1 after the West Indies won the first T20I by seven wickets on Thursday. In the head-to-head record, it is now West Indies 6 – Sri Lanka 4 across all T20Is.

For the full scorecard and player ratings, visit West Indies vs Sri Lanka on Statz.