In a rain-affected match at Pallekele, Sri Lanka overcame a few hurdles to beat the West Indies by five wickets via the DLS method. Chasing a revised target of 232 runs in 50 overs, Charith Asalanka’s 77 and debutant Nishan Madushka’s 69 formed the backbone of the Sri Lankan innings, as they put together a vital 137-run partnership for the fourth wicket. The victory gave Sri Lanka a 1-0 lead in the series, with the hosts reaching the target comfortably with 11 balls to spare.
Sri Lanka’s chase began on a shaky note, with opener Avishka Fernando dismissed for 4 in the second over, edging a delivery to point. Kusal Mendis, who appeared in good touch with three early boundaries, soon followed, top-edging a pull shot to depart for 13. The score stood at 19 for 2, putting early pressure on the hosts. When Sadeera Samarawickrama was bowled by Gudakesh Motie for 19, the team was in a precarious position at 45 for 3 in the seventh over.
Faced with a tricky situation, Asalanka and Madushka led the rebuilding effort with a mix of cautious singles and well-timed boundaries. Asalanka, showing confidence from the outset, swept Motie for a four just two balls into his innings, signaling an aggressive intent. Madushka, on the other hand, played the supporting role early on, rotating the strike and picking his moments to attack. The duo kept the scoreboard ticking, ensuring the team stayed ahead of the DLS par score with the threat of more rain looming.
Their partnership grew in confidence, especially during the middle overs. Between the 10th and 20th overs, Sri Lanka scored 72 runs, with only two overs failing to produce a boundary. The tempo increased further from overs 20-25, as the pair added another 41 runs. By the time Madushka edged to slip off Motie’s bowling in the 29th over, the required run rate had fallen to around four per over, and Sri Lanka were in control at 182 for 4.
Asalanka fell shortly after Madushka, trapped leg-before by Motie, leaving Sri Lanka needing 41 runs off 78 balls. However, Kamindu Mendis (30) and Janith Liyanage (18) ensured there were no further hiccups, guiding the team home without much fuss. The pair mixed boundaries with smart running between the wickets to seal the win, showcasing the depth in Sri Lanka’s batting lineup.
Batting first, West Indies had made a decent start, reaching 54 for 1 after 11 overs. Openers Brandon King and Shai Hope cautiously navigated the initial overs, but King’s dismissal for 13, followed by Hope for 19, triggered a mini-collapse. West Indies then slumped to 54 for 3, with Keacy Carty and Rutherford tasked with rebuilding the innings.
Carty and Rutherford added 46 runs for the fourth wicket, but Carty’s departure for 37, attempting a lofted shot, hampered their progress. Rutherford, however, continued to play sensibly, building a crucial partnership of 85 runs with Chase. They combined steady singles with the occasional boundary, particularly in the final five overs before rain halted play. Rutherford’s unbeaten 74 off 85 deliveries was the highlight of the West Indies’ innings.
On a dry surface, Sri Lanka utilized spin effectively to slow the West Indies’ scoring rate. The spinners, led by Wanindu Hasaranga (2 for 18), kept the visitors in check, with Jeffrey Vandersay and part-timer Asalanka also chipping in with a wicket each. Dunith Wellalage was introduced as early as the fifth over, indicating Sri Lanka’s intent to make use of the dry conditions. The spinners bowled a tight line, forcing West Indies’ batsmen into defensive mode for much of the middle overs.
Rain interruptions meant a wet outfield, which impacted the West Indies’ bowlers when Sri Lanka began their chase. The spinners, including Motie and Roston Chase, struggled to grip the ball, resulting in inconsistent lines and lengths. The wet pitch conditions also favored the Sri Lankan batsmen, as the ball skidded on, making stroke play easier compared to earlier in the day.
Key Performers
- Charith Asalanka: His 77 off 71 was a mix of calculated aggression and smart strike rotation, anchoring the chase at a crucial time.
- Nishan Madushka: On debut, Madushka impressed with a composed 69 off 54, showing maturity beyond his years in a challenging situation.
- Gudakesh Motie: The left-arm spinner took 3 for 47, providing breakthroughs when his team needed them, although he lacked support from the other bowlers.
The victory showcased Sri Lanka’s growing strength in chasing targets and their effective use of spin, setting them up well for the remainder of the series. West Indies, on the other hand, will need to regroup and find ways to counter the hosts’ spinners to stay in contention.
