Watch: Shimron Hetmyer takes superb catch to dismiss Pavan Rathnayake — WI vs SL 1st T20I 2026

During the first T20I clash of the three-match series between West Indies and Sri Lanka at the Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica, Shimron Hetmyer grabbed a superb catch on the boundary line to dismiss the Sri Lanka batter to bring his side back into the contest, which they went on to win. 

Hetmyer has been an electric wire in the field for the West Indies in the shortest format. He took some superb catches during the recent Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 against Scotland and India at the Eden Gardens, and he continued the same impressive fielding in the bilateral home series.

What did Shimron Hetmyer's catch look like? The full highlight — WI vs SL 1st T20I

On the third delivery of the sixth over of the first innings, West Indies pacer Shamar Joseph got the vital wicket of Pavan Rathnayake. The right-handed batter was surprised by the pace and bounce of the ball as he backed away to heave the length delivery over the square leg region.

Watch Shimron Hetmyer's catch here- 

But as he was in no shape to time the delivery, the ball didn’t get the potential power and failed to get over the boundary line, where Shimron Hetmyer was already stationed. The latter ran to his left from the deep backward square leg and jumped to take an overhead catch.  

Hetmyer tossed the ball up as he lost his balance and went past the boundary rope. He, then, came in to take it comfortably. It was a superb staff from the batter, as Sri Lanka lost their third wicket.

Pavan Rathnayake out for 4 — How Hetmyer's catch turned the game in the 6th over

Sri Lanka went off to a flying start with 39 runs on the board for no loss in just four overs as Kusal Mendis smashed 22 runs off 12 balls before Jason Holder provided the home two crucial wickets on successive balls to slow down the pace of the batting.

See Also: Watch: IPL 2026: Shimron Hetmyer's superb catch dismisses Kumar Kushagra for 18 vs GT

The 2014 T20 champions somehow made their way to 56/3 inside the powerplay and seemed to lose their route. Rathnayake’s wicket saw them lose the momentum after the first six overs.

At the halfway mark of the game, Sri Lanka were struggling at 75/4 before Kamindu Mendis offered them some firepower towards the backend of the innings. Mendis’ wicket was massive after he reached his 50 off just 37 balls with the help of two sixes and four boundaries to reach 147/9 in 20 overs.

West Indies win by 7 Wickets — Shai Hope's 65* and Holder's 3-fer seal the series opener

The Caribbean side completed the chase by seven wickets in 19.2 overs as their opening batter, Shai Hope, remained unbeaten on 65 runs off 54 balls, thanks to five boundaries and a couple of sixes at a strike rate of 120.37. Brandon King nailed 37 runs off 22 balls at a strike rate of nearly 170.

See Also: Watch: Shimron Hetmyer’s brilliant catch dismisses Tilak Varma in IND vs WI T20 World Cup 2026 clash

Sri Lanka tried hard to stretch the game deep, but wasn’t able to get back after a strong power play of the home side. Maheesh Theekshana was excellent for his 0/20 figures in the four-over spell.

Follow live scorecard of WI vs SL 1st T20I in Jamaica-

WI 149/3 (Shai Hope 65*, Wanindu Hasaranga 2/32) beat SL 147/9 (Kamindu Mendis 51, Jason Holder 3/18, Shamar Joseph 3/29) by 7-wickets.