In this closely contested rain-affected ODI, West Indies achieved their first victory on the tour, finally breaking a ten-match losing streak in Sri Lanka. The win was driven by a brilliant century from Evin Lewis, whose unbeaten 102 off 61 balls anchored the chase in a high-pressure situation. It was a remarkable comeback for Lewis, playing his first One-Day International since 2021, as he led his side to victory with an over to spare.
The game was initially set for 50 overs but was drastically reduced to 23 overs per side due to a five-hour rain delay. Sri Lanka had to adjust quickly after the break, managing to score 156 for 3 in the allotted 23 overs. Pathum Nissanka’s steady 56 helped lay a foundation, but it was Kusal Mendis who stole the show for the hosts, smashing an explosive 56 off just 22 balls, including a blistering 19-ball fifty. His aggressive batting ensured Sri Lanka added 75 runs in the final stretch, setting a competitive target under the revised DLS method.
West Indies began their chase with steady contributions from Brandon King and Shai Hope, but the real momentum came when Lewis found his rhythm. He dispatched the Sri Lankan bowlers to all parts of the ground, hitting four sixes and nine fours during his innings. When Sherfane Rutherford joined him, the required run rate was climbing, but the duo quickly turned the game in West Indies’ favor. Rutherford’s rapid 50 off 26 balls, featuring multiple boundaries, added a crucial 88-run partnership that sealed the match.
Sri Lankan captain Charith Asalanka had briefly kept the visitors in check with shrewd bowling changes, using himself and Kamindu Mendis to fill in for the fifth bowler and sneaking in some economical overs. However, the strategy faltered as Rutherford and Lewis attacked, taking 14 runs off an over from Asalanka and piling on 18 runs from Maheesh Theekshana in the following over.
Despite their defeat, Sri Lanka could draw positives from the game, particularly their aggressive intent after the rain break and the form shown by Mendis and Nissanka. However, dropped catches and an inability to contain the West Indies’ late surge cost them the match. The victory gave West Indies a much-needed boost to end the tour on a high, while Sri Lanka was left to reflect on missed opportunities and strategize for future contests.
