Shamar Joseph celebrating a wicket vs Sri Lanka (Source: AFP Photos)
Shamar Joseph breathed fire at Sabina Park during the West Indies’ third and final T20I against Sri Lanka. With the series level at 1-1, Joseph stood tall when it mattered the most.
In the process, Joseph set a new world record in T20Is, something that no one has ever done in the past before him.
Not twice or thrice, Joseph struck as many as five times during WI Vs SL 3rd T20I. Pathum Nissanka, Pavan Rathnayake, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana and Dushmantha Chameera were his victims, as Sri Lanka were bundled out for 169, courtesy of his heroics.
Shamar Joseph Rules The Roost At Sabina Park
By claiming 5/33, Joseph became the first-ever bowler to have five or more wickets in a single T20I at Sabina Park. The previous-best bowling figures here were recorded by Ireland’s Alex Cusack, who returned 4/11 against the West Indies back in 2014.
Best Figures At Sabina Park In T20Is
5-33 by Shamar Joseph (West Indies) vs Sri Lanka, 2026 (Tonight)*
4-11 by Alex Cusack (Ireland) vs West Indies, 2014
4-36 by Ben Dwarshuis (Australia) vs West Indies, 2025
Besides, it was Shamar Joseph’s first-ever T20I five-wicket haul, going past his previous best figures in the format.
Wkts
Runs
Economy
Opposition
Year
5
33
8.25
v Sri Lanka
2026
4
30
7.5
v Italy
2026
3
29
7.25
v Sri Lanka
2026
3
30
7.5
v Pakistan
2025
3
31
7.75
v South Africa
2024
3
32
8
v Sri Lanka
2026
[Best Bowling Figures By Shamar Joseph In T20Is]
Joseph, Jason Holder Win It For West Indies
While the West Indies did well with the ball, they struggled to gain control of the game after coming to chase. At one point, the West Indies were 53/4 after 8.2 overs, with captain Shai Hope, Brandon King, Shimron Hetmyer and Ackeem Auguste all returning to the pavilion.
Then Rovman Powell and Sherfane Rutherford held the fort, but things seemed to go out of their hands, as they failed to switch the gears. However, once Jason Holder walked into the middle after Powell’s departure, it changed completely.
During the 19th over of the West Indies innings, Holder smashed three sixes within four balls to completely change the game. Eventually, he remained not out on 21 off 5 balls, as Sherfane Rutherford hit the winning runs to seal the series with five wickets and two balls to spare.
WI Vs SL Will Now Have Tests
The WI Vs SL 3rd T20I went in favour of the West Indies, but it was not the end of Sri Lanka tour of West Indies 2026. They will now have two Test matches, with North Sound’s Sir Vivian Richards Stadium hosting both.
The first Test between West Indies and Sri Lanka will begin on Thursday, June 25, while the second will start on July 3.
Not to forget, there were three ODIs between the West Indies and Sri Lanka before T20Is, all at Sabina Park. Unfortunately, rain did not allow for two of the matches, while the first one was won by Sri Lanka by 41 runs.
Shamar Joseph celebrating a wicket vs Sri Lanka (Source: AFP Photos)
