Sri Lanka cruised to a complete five-wicket win within the rain-shortened first one-day worldwide in opposition to the West Indies in Pallekele on Sunday, with half-centuries from captain Charith Asalanka and debutant Nishan Madushka. Chasing a revised goal of 232 in 37 overs, the hosts raced to victory with 5.3 overs to spare. After a shaky begin that noticed Sri Lanka stoop to 45 for 3 within the seventh over, Asalanka’s arrival on the crease turned the tide. His partnership with Madushka, value 137 runs for the fourth wicket, got here in speedy time.
Each Asalanka and Madushka reached their half-centuries in simply 44 balls.
Madushka, who has performed 10 Check matches, was introduced in to interchange injured opener Pathum Nissanka, the main run scorer in ODIs in 2024.
“I’m glad that he has grabbed the chance with each palms,” Asalanka stated. “It’s good to have wholesome competitors within the aspect.”
The West Indies had posted 183 for 4 in 38.3 overs earlier than rain intervened.
Their spinners then discovered it laborious to grip the moist ball.
“We had been actually examined by the circumstances”, West Indies skipper Shai Hope stated.
“Significantly for the spinners, the moist ball was fairly difficult.”
Gudakesh Motie ultimately broke the Asalanka-Madushka stand, when Brandon King took a pointy catch at slip.
However by then, the injury had been executed.
Sri Lanka wanted simply 50 runs off 74 balls when Madushka fell for 69 off 54 balls, which included seven fours and a six.
Motie additionally trapped Asalanka lbw after an excellent 77 off 71 balls, studded with eight fours and three sixes.
Motie completed with three wickets, though he might have had a better affect if not for the difficult circumstances, with the ball having to be modified twice.
Kamindu Mendis and Janith Liyanage noticed Sri Lanka dwelling comfortably.
Earlier, the West Indies had struggled in opposition to Sri Lanka’s spinners, however Sherfane Rutherford‘s career-best 74 not out, mixed with help from Roston Chase, helped the guests recuperate with an unbroken 85-run partnership for the fifth wicket.
Nonetheless, it was not sufficient to cease Sri Lanka from taking the lead within the sequence 1-0.
Sri Lanka got here from behind to win the T20 sequence 2-1 final week, their first sequence win over the West Indies within the shortest format.
The remaining two ODIs might be held on Wednesday and Saturday.
(Aside from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is printed from a syndicated feed.)
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