NEW DELHI: With half-centuries from skipper Charith Asalanka and rookie Nishan Madushka, Sri Lanka defeated the West Indies by five wickets in Sunday’s rain-shortened first one-day international at Pallekele.
Chasing a revised target of 232 in 37 overs, the hosts won with 5.3 overs to spare.
Asalanka’s arrival at the crease changed the course of the match after Sri Lanka had a rough start and had reduced to 45 for three in the seventh over.
He quickly formed a partnership with Madushka, which resulted in 137 runs for the fourth wicket.
Madushka and Asalanka both reached their half-centuries in a mere forty-four balls.
The 2024 top run scorer in ODIs, injured opener Pathum Nissanka, was replaced by Madushka, who has played ten Test matches.
“I am glad that he has grabbed the opportunity with both hands,” Asalanka said. “It is good to have healthy competition in the side.”
Before the rain came, the West Indies had scored 183 for four in 38.3 overs.
The wet ball was then difficult for their spinners to grip.
“We were really tested by the conditions”, West Indies skipper Shai Hope said.
“Particularly for the spinners, the wet ball was quite challenging.”
The Asalanka-Madushka stand was ultimately broken by Gudakesh Motie after Brandon King made a quick grab at slip.
However, the damage was already done.
Madushka went for 69 off 54 balls, including seven fours and a six, leaving Sri Lanka needing just 50 runs off 74 balls.
After a spectacular 77 from 71 balls, which included eight fours and three sixes, Motie also trapped Asalanka leg before wicket.
Despite having to change the ball twice due to the difficult conditions, Motie could have made a bigger impact. He ended up with three wickets.
Kamindu Mendis and Janith Liyanage saw Sri Lanka home with ease.
Sherfane Rutherford’s career-best 74 not out and Roston Chase’s assistance helped the West Indies recover from their earlier struggles against Sri Lanka’s spinners with an uninterrupted 85-run partnership for the fifth wicket.
Nevertheless, it was unable to prevent Sri Lanka from gaining a 1-0 series lead.
Sri Lanka defeated the West Indies in the shortest format for the first time last week, winning the T20 series 2-1 after rallying from a deficit.
The final two ODIs are scheduled for Wednesday and Saturday.
