Sri Lanka Triumph In Rain-Affected First ODI Towards West Indies

Sri Lanka cruised to a complete five-wicket win within the rain-shortened first one-day worldwide towards 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 hunch to 45 for 3 within the seventh over, Asalanka’s arrival on the crease turned the tide. His partnership with Madushka, price 137 runs for the fourth wicket, got here in fast time.

Both Asalanka and Madushka reached their half-centuries in simply 44 balls.

Madushka, who has performed 10 Test matches, was introduced in to exchange injured opener Pathum Nissanka, the main run scorer in ODIs in 2024.

“I am glad that he has grabbed the opportunity with both hands,” Asalanka mentioned. “It is good to have healthy competition in the side.”

The West Indies had posted 183 for 4 in 38.3 overs earlier than rain intervened.

Their spinners then discovered it onerous to grip the moist ball.

“We were really tested by the conditions”, West Indies skipper Shai Hope mentioned.

“Particularly for the spinners, the wet ball was quite challenging.”

Gudakesh Motie ultimately broke the Asalanka-Madushka stand, when Brandon King took a pointy catch at slip.

But by then, the injury had been finished.

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 a superb 77 off 71 balls, studded with eight fours and three sixes.

Motie completed with three wickets, though he might have had a larger impression if not for the difficult situations, with the ball having to be modified twice.

Kamindu Mendis and Janith Liyanage noticed Sri Lanka house comfortably.

Earlier, the West Indies had struggled towards Sri Lanka’s spinners, however Sherfane Rutherford‘s career-best 74 not out, mixed with assist from Roston Chase, helped the guests get better with an unbroken 85-run partnership for the fifth wicket.

However, it was not sufficient to cease Sri Lanka from taking the lead within the collection 1-0.

Sri Lanka got here from behind to win the T20 collection 2-1 final week, their first collection win over the West Indies within the shortest format.

The remaining two ODIs might be held on Wednesday and Saturday.

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