Sri Lanka secured a 2-0 series victory against the West Indies by winning the second ODI by five wickets at the Pallekele International Stadium. The home side successfully chased down a target of 190 runs, reaching their goal in just 38.2 overs.
Captain Charith Asalanka played a pivotal role, scoring an unbeaten half-century to steer the team towards victory. He was well-supported by Nishan Madushka and Sadeera Samarawickrama, both of whom contributed valuable 38 runs each.
Earlier in the match, Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to field first, a decision that paid off as they bowled the West Indies out for 189 runs. The innings was impacted by rain, which reduced the match to 44 overs per side. West Indies struggled initially, finding themselves in a dire position at 58 for 8, but Sherfane Rutherford and tailender Gudakesh Motie mounted a remarkable recovery.
Rutherford scored a commendable 80 runs, while Motie provided essential support with a solid 50 not out. Together, they forged a record partnership of 119 runs for the ninth wicket, which significantly bolstered the West Indies’ total and showcased their resilience against a spin-heavy Sri Lankan attack.
Sri Lanka entered this series riding high on confidence after a 2-1 victory in the preceding T20I series against the West Indies, and their form carried into the ODI format. They had previously won the opening match of the ODI series by five wickets, setting the stage for this decisive second game.
With this win, Sri Lanka has clinched the three-match ODI series with one match remaining, further solidifying their dominance over the visiting West Indies.
