Sherfane Rutherford completed his half-century in the final over during a tense pursuit as West Indies secured a five-wicket victory with two balls remaining in the deciding Twenty20 match against Sri Lanka on Sunday. Rutherford finished unbeaten on 54 from 40 balls, while Jason Holder struck three sixes in the 19th over to remain not out on 21 from five deliveries. West Indies reached 170 for five chasing Sri Lanka’s 169. Missed catches in Rutherford’s innings reduced Sri Lanka’s hopes after the opening two matches were shared. West Indies chose to bowl first after winning the toss. Shamar Joseph claimed five wickets for 33 runs to restrict Sri Lanka and earned player-of-the-match honors. West Indies won the opener by seven wickets, but Sri Lanka took the second by 37 runs. Joseph collected two wickets in the sixth over and three in the final over, nearly achieving hat-tricks. Matthew Forde produced a one-handed catch off his bowling to dismiss Kusal Mendis early. Sri Lanka reached 49 for one after five overs before Joseph struck twice in the sixth. Pathum Nissanka made 26 from 17 balls before a catch ended a 43-run stand. Joseph then had Pavan Rathnayake lbw. Dunith Wellalage led a lower-order effort that ended when Wanindu Hasaranga was run out for 21 in the 19th over, breaking a 49-run partnership. Wellalage scored 43 from 28 balls. West Indies lost Shai Hope early in the chase but reached 52 before three quick wickets shifted momentum. Rovman Powell made 33 in an 81-run stand with Rutherford before falling in the 17th over. A nine-ball over from Dushmantha Chameera yielded 24 runs and Powell’s wicket, leaving 36 needed from three overs. Holder hit three sixes in the 19th over to leave six runs required from the final over. Sri Lanka had earlier won the ODI series 1-0. The sides next play a two-test series starting June 25 in Antigua.
