Finally the Sri Lankan side tasted their first defeat on their over two months stay in Bangladesh against the defending champion West Indies. Dwayne Bravo’s all round performance gave his side a 33 run victory in the warm up match of the World T20 Championship at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday.
Chasing the target of 173 runs after opting to field first, Sri Lanka struggled right from the start, losing two early wickets – opener Kusal Perera and star Mahela Jayawardene - who fell to leg spinner Samuel Badree and Ravi Rampaul respectively, to leave the Lankans at 18/2.
However Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara tried to rescue the side. Dilshan was dropped by Johnson Charles at long on when he was on 31 and Sangakkara was also given a life by Andre Russell.
Dwayne Bravo, however, followed up an explosive batting performance by dismissing both batsmen. Sangakkara was first to go for 24, bowled as he tried a scoop shot and Dilshan was clean bowled later for a 36-ball 43.
Sri Lanka were struggling on 73/4, needing 100 runs from the last nine overs and they surrendered helplessly as they kept on losing wickets at regular interval and were eventually bundled out for 139.
Sunil Narine claimed four wickets, giving away 24 runs from his four overs. The mystery spinner took three Sri Lankan wickets in the 16th over of the innings, while Bravo, who had a wonderful match, took three wickets for the West Indies.
Earlier, the Lankan team rested their lethal weapon Lasith Malinga, making things easy for West Indies who managed to post a good total despite losing their explosive opener Chris Gayle, who was dismissed after smashing three fours in his 12.
However the opening pair of Dwayne Smith and Gayle added 47 runs when the frustrated big hitter was caught at long on when he tried to cut loose at a delivery from Rangana Herath in the sixth over.
But his partner Smith was in a terrific touch as the right hander smashed three fours and a six of Ajantha Mendis in the fifth over, which cost 19 runs.
Dwayne Bravo later joined the opener after left arm spinner Herath claimed the wicket of Andre Fletcher and started to punish the Lankan bowlers. Smith reached his half century in style, smashing two back to back boundaries of Mendis.
Smith was soon dismissed after reaching his half century. He made 60 off just 45 balls, smashing eight four and two sixes. When he was trapped leg before by the wrist spinner Seekkuge Prasanna, West Indies were already past the 100 run mark with seven overs to go.
Bravo took charge and started to score quick runs and he was later joined by skipper Darren Sammy after Lendl Simmons departed for 10. Bravo was dismissed by Suranga Lakmal after scoring 43 off 31 balls with six boundaries.
The West Indian captain came to the act and the 30 year old smashed a quick fire thirty of just 14 balls, stroking two sixes and a four, and remained unbeaten. He also smashed 17 runs in the last over bowled by Nuwan Kulasekara, taking West Indies to 172/5.
