WI beat SL by 25 runs | Sri Lanka vs West Indies, Highlights And Cricket Score 1st T20I Match

So, that is it from this game! It was great fun covering this game for you. West Indies showed why they are one of the strongest and feared side in the shortest format of the game. They take an unassailable 1-0 lead in this 2-game series. Sri Lanka will be disappointed with their performance but have a lot of positives to take. The hosts will look to comeback stronger in the second game and draw the series. The second and final T20I of the series will be played on Friday, 6th March. That game will begin at 1900 local (1330 GMT). Hope to see you for that one. Till then, have a great time!

West Indies skipper, Kieron Pollard, says it is good to win the game and says it was a good performance from the team. Tells the guys coming up maximized their opportunity. Credits Oshane Thomas and says that his work is showing as he has been good. Tells Rovman Paul was the unsung hero for his bowling. Tells the T20 guys have come and shown them their experience and it was good for them to come out on top. Tells the guys bowled well and adds he will not tell the plan as they still have a game to go in the series.

Sri Lanka skipper, Lasith Malinga, says that after the One Day tournament, the boys were confident but unfortunately they lost 5 wickets early and did not build any partnerships until then. Says with dew it was hard to bowl, especially for the spinners. Tells while chasing 190 or more you need partnerships and they did not have that. Adds that the guys are experienced and will bounce back stronger.

For his outstanding bowling performance, Oshane Thomas is named the Player of the Match!. Thomas says that it is a great feeling to be back in the side. Tells he was bowling straight and says he had a plan for the Sri Lankan batters and it came out well.

Stay tuned for the presentation as we hear from the skippers and find out who the Player of the Match is!

Earlier in the day, West Indies after electing to bat, set a massive target for the hosts courtesy of a brilliant knock from Simmons and cameos from Russell and Pollard. In the end, it proved to be enough despite valiant efforts from Kusal Perera and Wanindu Hasaranga.

For the Windies, it was all about one man with the ball, Oshane Thomas, he got the first five wickets, that too inside the Powerplay and rocked the hosts. Once he bowled out, Sri Lanka found it easier to score runs. However, Rovman Powell impressed towards the end and chipped in with crucial wickets. The rest though weren't that great.

A very hard fought win in the end for the Windies! At one stage, it seemed they would cruise to a victory when Sri Lanka were 56 for 5 but that was not to be. Wanindu Hasaranga and Kusal Perera counter-attacked, they though had no other option as they needed to go for it chasing a huge total. They built a partnership worth 97 and brought the hosts back into the game. However, Kusal Perera, Wanindu Hasaranga and Thisara Perera departed in three consecutive overs which made it an impossible task for the tailenders.

Sheldon Cottrell to Lasith Malinga. OUT! Bowled! That is it! Cottrell gets his first wicket and the game's last wicket. He hits the deck hard on middle and off, Malinga looks to pull but misses. Cottrell does not. WEST INDIES WIN BY 25 RUNS!

Dwayne Bravo to Lasith Malinga. Full on middle, Malinga clears his front leg and looks to hit it hard but manages to just play it towards mid-wicket for a run. Excellent over from Bravo. Just 3 from the penultimate one and he has almost killed this game. 26 needed off the last one.

Dwayne Bravo to Lakshan Sandakan. Low full toss on middle and leg, Sandakan hits it towards long on for one.

Dwayne Bravo to Lasith Malinga. On the pads, Malinga flicks it towards square leg and gets to the other end.

Dwayne Bravo to Lasith Malinga. Superb bowling from Bravo. Another yorker on middle and leg, Malinga cannot do much but just jam it out.

Dwayne Bravo to Lasith Malinga. Play and a miss. Length ball outside off, Lasith swings but connects with thin air.

Dwayne Bravo to Isuru Udana. OUT! That is a tremendous catch from the Windies skipper! He leads from the front here. A full toss, a low full toss on middle. Udana does not get it off the middle and it lobs towards long on. Pollard runs in with speed and then dives forward to take it.

Rovman Powell to Lasith Malinga. SIX! All the way! Malinga is not going down without a fight. 29 needed in 12. Full and on middle, Malinga makes room and thrashes it way over the long on fence for a biggie.

Rovman Powell to Isuru Udana. Full and on middle, this is hit down at long on for one.

Rovman Powell to Thisara Perera. OUT! TAKEN! That is probably the final nail in the coffin for Sri Lanka. Powell once again manages to take an important wicket. Perera makes room and RP follows him with a full one on the pads, Perera flicks but does not get the distance. He holes out to Cottrell at deep square leg. Sri Lanka need a miracle from here to win the game.

Rovman Powell to Thisara Perera. SIX! More of this please is what the Lankan fans want! A full toss on middle, Perera hammers it well over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie. A gift presented and Perera puts it away. Need more.

Rovman Powell to Isuru Udana. Fuller and on middle, this is hit down to long off for one more run.

Rovman Powell to Thisara Perera. Misses out there does Perera! A full toss on middle, this is mistimed down to long on for one. Sri Lanka need boundaries and not singles.