West Indies won by five wickets with two balls remaining against Sri Lanka in the Sri Lanka tour of West Indies 2026, with Shamar Joseph’s five-wicket burst setting up a chase of 170. Sherfane Rutherford then top-scored with 54 as West Indies reached 170/5 in 19.4 overs to move 2-1 ahead in the T20 leg.
The result gave West Indies the edge again after the first two T20s had been split. West Indies had won Match 4 by seven wickets with four balls remaining before Sri Lanka responded with a 37-run victory in Match 5, and this latest success in Match 6 now puts the home side 2-1 up in the three-match T20 contest.
Earlier in the tour, Sri Lanka had taken the ODI opener by 41 runs, before the second ODI ended in no result and the third was abandoned without a ball bowled. Attention in the series will now turn to the longer format, with three Tests still to come on June 18, June 25 and July 3.
Sri Lanka post 169 but Joseph rips through the middle and lower order
Sri Lanka’s 169 all out looked competitive enough in a T20 contest, built around Dunith Wellalage’s 43, with support from Kamil Mishara’s 28 and Pathum Nissanka’s 26. But the innings was defined by Shamar Joseph, who ripped out five wickets to halt Sri Lanka whenever they threatened to kick on.
Akeal Hosein and Roston Chase chipped in with one wicket each, but Joseph was the match-turning force with the ball. His spell ensured Sri Lanka were bowled out exactly at the 20-over mark rather than finishing with the kind of late surge that often decides these chases.
Rutherford anchors chase after middle-order support
West Indies’ reply was paced by Sherfane Rutherford’s 54, the top score of the match, while Rovman Powell added 33 and Shimron Hetmyer made 32 in a chase that required calm through the middle overs and nerve at the finish.
Sri Lanka stayed in the contest through Wanindu Hasaranga’s two wickets, while Dunith Wellalage and Maheesh Theekshana claimed one each. But West Indies kept finding enough from their key batters, and with Rutherford setting the platform, the home side got over the line at 170/5 in 19.4 overs.
The difference between the sides ultimately came down to impact. Sri Lanka had useful contributions, but no half-century. West Indies had the innings-defining hand in Rutherford and the innings-breaking spell in Joseph, and that combination was enough to settle another close contest in a series that has swung back and forth.
Key performers
- Shamar Joseph (West Indies): 5 wickets and Player of the Match
- Sherfane Rutherford (West Indies): 54 in the successful chase
- Rovman Powell (West Indies): 33
- Shimron Hetmyer (West Indies): 32
- Dunith Wellalage (Sri Lanka): 43 and 1 wicket
- Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka): 2 wickets
NerdSports Stat: West Indies won both T20s they chased in this series, reaching the target with balls to spare each time, while Sri Lanka’s only T20 win came when defending a total.
Frequently Asked Questions
West Indies won the match by 5 wkts (2b rem).
Shamar Joseph was named Player of the Match for his five-wicket haul.
West Indies lead the T20 series 2-1 after six matches of the Sri Lanka tour of West Indies 2026, with the ODI leg already completed and three Tests still to come.
Sherfane Rutherford top-scored with 54 off balls not listed on the provided scorecard.
The next match is the first Test between West Indies and Sri Lanka on Thursday, June 18.
