Jason Holder bitterly regrets after loss against Sri Lanka

West Indies once again failed to cross the line for the second time in consecutive matches as they succumbed to a one-run loss against Sri Lanka in the tri-series game in Bulawayo on Wednesday 23 Nov, 2016. West Indies needed ten runs in the final over to seal the contest and a place in the final. Even with Sulieman Benn hitting a six and bringing the equation down to three off three, Holder failed to finish the game off. The 25-year-old praised the Sri Lankan bowlers for executing their yorkers well.

"Benn did a tremendous job to hit the six that he did, to bring the game back closer, but unfortunately he got out afterwards. The last ball was a very good ball. I was just trying to get on strike, but credit must also be given to the Sri Lankan bowlers."

Chasing 331, West Indies got close courtesy Evin Lewis, who slammed a 122-ball 148. Holder felt his team hasn't been able to finish close games because of the lack of expertise. "I think it's our big mistake the West Indies captain said. "There are obviously situations that we're not accustomed to being in. We're still a relatively young side. Everybody's trying to make their mark. And I think it boils down to inexperience, and having that know-how at the end to get us across the line. We had set up the game nicely, and Evin Lewis played an exceptional knock to put us in the situation that we were in."

The fact that West Indies got so close to the total was because of the blistering ton by Lewis.The left-hander walked out to open with Jhonson Charles while Kraigg Brathwaite, the regular opener, walked in at No. 3. "He's one of those guys that likes the ball coming on, so we just felt that with 330 on the board we needed to get off well in the Powerplay and make use of that first up," Holder said explaining the move to promote Lewis.

Him and Johnson Charles did a great job there and put the Sri Lankan bowlers under pressure, capitalising on every bad ball that was bowled." West Indies now need to win their clash against Zimbabwe on Friday to set up a final date with Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka:330 for 7 (Dhananjaya De Silva 58 ,Holder 3-57,Dickwella 94 ,Kusal Mendis 94,)

West Indies:329 for 9 (Lewis 148, Holder 49, Lakmal 2-67 , Kulasekara 2-73 ).

Sri Lanka Won by One Run.