West Indies ended a lengthy wait for a Test series triumph by securing a drawn second Test against Sri Lanka at North Sound, a result that sealed their first series victory in 11 attempts. The stalemate also marked the first drawn Test of 2026 and gave the Caribbean side their first home Test series success since June 2022, while their previous series win came in 2023.

After five days that produced 1,408 runs, 28 wickets and interruptions because of rain, neither side could force a decisive result on a batting friendly surface that offered little assistance to the bowlers.

Sri Lanka began the final day chasing an unlikely victory by attempting to score quickly. Overnight batters Dinesh Chandimal and Kamindu Mendis attacked from the outset despite West Indies employing defensive fields and disciplined bowling. The visitors added 139 runs in 24 overs at a scoring rate of 5.79, but their aggressive approach also cost them six wickets in the morning session.

Kamindu fell to a top edged drive off Jayden Seales, Chandimal and Kusal Mendis both found fielders in the deep, Dhananjaya de Silva was caught at long off, Sonal Dinusha was run out attempting a risky second run, and Isitha Wijesundara perished trying to clear the field.

Although many expected Sri Lanka to declare at lunch with a lead of 281, they batted briefly after the interval to push the advantage beyond 300 before setting West Indies a target of 302.

The home side never appeared interested in pursuing victory. Openers John Campbell and Brandon King instead focused on ensuring the series could not slip away. Campbell completed his second half century of the match while King also reached fifty as the pair comfortably negotiated the Sri Lankan attack.

Prabath Jayasuriya came closest to breaking the stand. He had King given lbw only for the Decision Review System to show the ball would have passed over the stumps. A second appeal soon after was turned down with ball tracking returning umpire’s call.

Rain interrupted play twice during the afternoon, including a brief shower at tea, but ground staff ensured enough time remained for play to resume before both teams agreed to end the contest after 40 overs of the innings.

West Indies finished on 109 without loss, with Campbell and King unbeaten on half centuries. Their measured approach reflected the significance of preserving a rare series triumph, while Sri Lanka were left unable to find the 10 wickets required to square the contest.

Scorecard: Sri Lanka 549 for 9 dec (Udara 188, Dinusha 92, Seales 2-98, Shamar 2-98) and 251 for 9 dec (Chandimal 71, Alzarri 2-44) drew with West Indies 499 (Greaves 180, Hope 112, Asitha 5-130) and 109 for 0 (Campbell 51*, King 51*)