LONDON: Evin Lewis smashed 91 from just 44 balls as the West Indies beat Ireland by 62 runs to clinch a T20 International series victory in Bready on Sunday.

Lewis and West Indies captain Shai Hope put Ireland to the sword with a swashbuckling 122-run partnership for the first wicket in only 10.3 overs.

The tourists powered to 256 for five from their 20 overs, a daunting total which ranked as their second highest in T20 Internationals.

Lewis, 33, was the mainstay of the innings with eight sixes and seven fours, while Hope made 51 from 27 balls.

Keacy Carty maintained his fine recent form with an unbeaten 49 from 22 balls.

Matthew Humphreys was the sole bright spot for Ireland with two for 16 as the West Indies blasted 20 sixes.

After losing Paul Stirling in the second over, Ross Adair and Harry Tector produced a partnership of 101 in 58 balls to give Ireland hope.

Tector made 35 from 28 deliveries before being pinned lbw by Roston Chase and Adair soon departed for 48.

Ireland never recovered from losing three wickets for two runs and ended on 194 for seven, with Mark Adair unbeaten on 31.

Akeal Hosein took three for 27 and Jason Holder picked up two wickets.

The West Indies’ win was enough to seal the series after the first two games were abandoned without a ball being bowled on Thursday and Saturday.

Brief scores:

WEST INDIES 256-5 in 20 overs (E. Lewis 91, S. Hope 51, K. Carty 49 not out; M. Humphreys 2-16); IRELAND 194-7 in 20 overs (R. Adair 48; Hosein 3-27, J. Holder 2-49).

Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2025