ICC World T20; Fletcher Powers West Indies to 7 Wicket Win

Andre Fletcher plays a big shot through the off side, Sri Lanka v West Indies, World T20 2016, Group 1, Bangalore, March 20, 2016 ©Getty Images 

BENGALURU: Thousands gathered at Chinnaswami Stadium, probably, were expecting a Gayle storm. But once their favourite star got injured while fielding, their dream to witness this was affected.

Batting first, Sri Lanka put up 122 on the board. Invited to bat first, Sri Lanka began well with Dilshan scoring six and a boundary in the first over. But once he was trapped before the wicket by Brathwaite in the first ball of the fourth over, Sri Lanka was forced to the back seat. The replays proved that the umpire's decision was wrong and the ball was going away from the stumps. In the fifth over, Sri Lanka lost Chandimal in the form of run out. West Indies put pressure on the Lankans by taking wickets of Thirimanne, Kapugedera and Siriwardana in quick successions to leave them five for 47 in the nineth over.

The sixth wicket partnership between Perera and Mathews took Sri Lanka to 91 in the 16th over. In his 32 ball long anchoring innings, Mathews scored 20 from 32 deliveries. Interestingly, his innings has boundaries. Perera top scored Sri Lankan side with his 40 from 29 deliveries. His innings include five boundaries and a six. For West Indies, Badree claimed three wickets, Bravo two and Brathwaite and Russel picking one each.

Samuel Badree is jubilant after taking a wicket, Sri Lanka v West Indies, World T20 2016, Group 1, Bangalore, March 20, 2016 ©AFP

Chasing a target of 123, Fletcher and Charles gave a good start. Though Charles departed in the final over of power play, Fletcher was determined to entertain the crowd. He smashed five sixes and half a dozen boundaries in his 64-ball knock. His career best T20 score of 84 not out took West Indies to a comfortable 7-wicket win over Sri Lanka with 10 balls to spare. Among the Lankan bowlers, Vandersay deserve special applauds for his brilliant figures that read 4-1-11-1. He bowled 19 dot balls and picked up the wicket of Charles. Fletcher is the man of the match.

Andre Fletcher plays a big shot through the off side, Sri Lanka v West Indies, World T20 2016, Group 1, Bangalore, March 20, 2016 ©Getty Images