Hayley Matthews Leads West Indies to 5‑Wicket Victory Over Sri Lanka in Women’s T20 World Cup

In what turned out to be a nail‑biting encounter at the Women’s T20 World Cup, the West Indies women’s side edged past Sri Lanka by five wickets. The match, held under a clear sky, gave fans a glimpse of why cricket is still the sport of unpredictable drama.

Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first. Their openers got off to a decent start, but the momentum soon shifted when the West Indian bowlers, especially Anisa Mohammed, found a rhythm. Sri Lanka’s innings stalled at 132 for 9, with the tail contributing only a handful of runs. It wasn’t a massive total, but in a T20 World Cup knockout setting every run counts.

Chasing 133, the West Indies needed a steady hand, and that’s where Hayley Matthews stepped in. She arrived at the crease with the team wobbling at three wickets down and, after a brief settling‑in period, unleashed a fluent 71 off just 52 balls. Her shot selection was crisp – a mixture of lofted pulls and well‑timed cuts that kept the scoreboard ticking. The partnership with Chinelle Henry, who added a quick‑fire 30, brought the equation within reach.

When the required run rate dipped below ten per over, Matthews paced the innings beautifully, finishing with a half‑century that seemed almost effortless. West Indies crossed the line with five wickets in hand and a modest two balls to spare. Post‑match, captain Stafanie Taylor praised Matthews, saying, “Hayley’s innings gave us the confidence we needed – she played her natural game and the rest of us just followed.” The win not only boosts West Indies’s points tally but also cements Matthews’s reputation as a big‑stage performer.

For Sri Lanka, the loss is a tough lesson in handling pressure during the final overs, but there were moments of promise that suggest they can bounce back in the next fixtures. Meanwhile, West Indies fans will be celebrating this triumph, hoping the momentum carries them further into the tournament.