Joseph, Rutherford shine in West Indies' series-clinching win

Shamar Joseph claimed a career-best 5 for 33 to restrict Sri Lanka to 169 before Sherfane Rutherford anchored the chase with an unbeaten 40-ball 54 as West Indies sealed the three-match T20I series with a five-wicket win at Sabina Park in Jamaica.

Batting first for the third time in the series, Sri Lanka made a promising start through Kamil Mishara and Pathum Nissanka. Having raced to 48/1 by the fifth over, they appeared set for a strong Powerplay, only to surrender the momentum in the final over of the phase - Joseph's first. The fast bowler struck twice in the over. And after the in-form Mishara fell for a brisk 28 off 23 balls, Sri Lanka slipped to 80/4 by the 10th over.

Dasun Shanaka and Dunith Wellalage attempted to rebuild, but a key moment arrived when Shanaka shuffled too far across in an attempt to paddle Jason Holder fine and was undone by a fuller delivery that crashed into leg stump. With Sri Lanka's innings threatening to peter out, Wellalage provided a much-needed boost by hitting four boundaries off Joseph's third over, which cost 20. However, Joseph had the final say. Returning for the last over of the innings, he picked up three wickets to complete his maiden five-for in this format and ensure Sri Lanka finished short of what had once looked a par score.

Those late wickets proved costly. Sri Lanka started strongly with the ball, conceding only 10 runs in the first three overs, with Wellalage riding his momentum by removing Shai Hope early. But Shimron Hetmyer counterattacked with a 16-ball 31 in the Powerplay to ensure West Indies kept pace with the required rate.

The visitors wrestled back control through their spinners. Wanindu Hasaranga led the charge as West Indies stumbled to 64/4 at the halfway stage, leaving Rutherford with plenty to do. The left-hander responded by finding timely boundaries, including a pair of sixes off Wellalage in the 13th over - one lofted over extra cover and the other slog-swept over square leg. He was also handed a reprieve on 25 when Shanaka spilled a chance at long-off, only managing to tip the ball over the ropes for six.

A 24-run over off Dushmantha Chameera swung the chase back in West Indies' favour, although the dismissal of Rovman Powell at the end of that over prevented them from taking complete control. Even then, the hosts were left needing 26 from the final 10 deliveries.

That equation was effectively settled by Holder. Facing Chameera in the penultimate over, the all-rounder capitalised on a series of missed yorkers and full tosses, launching three sixes to all but finish the contest. Rutherford brought up his fifty in the final over before West Indies crossed the line with two balls to spare to seal the series 2-1.

Brief scores: Sri Lanka 169 in 20 overs (Dunith Wellalage 43; Shamar Joseph 5-33) lost to West Indies 170/5 in 19.4 overs (Sherfane Rutherford 54*, Jason Holder 21*; Wanindu Hasaranga 2-17) by five wickets