Sri Lanka secured a convincing five-wicket victory over the West Indies in the second ODI of the series, successfully chasing down a target of 190 runs. Charith Asalanka starred for the hosts with a solid innings of 62*, guiding his team to victory with 34 balls remaining.
The match, which was delayed by two hours due to drizzle, saw the Sri Lankan bowlers dominate the West Indies batting lineup. Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, and Asitha Fernando wreaked havoc, leaving the West Indies reeling at 58 for 8. Hasaranga took 4 wickets for 40 runs, while Theekshana impressed with 3 for 25 and Fernando added 3 for 35 to his tally.
The West Indies managed to salvage their innings thanks to a remarkable ninth-wicket partnership between Sherfane Rutherford and Gudakesh Motie, who combined for a record-breaking 119 runs. Rutherford led the charge with an aggressive 80 runs off 82 balls, while Motie contributed a vital 50. Their efforts lifted the West Indies to a total of 189.
Despite losing two early wickets in their chase, Sri Lanka steadied the ship with a 62-run partnership between Sadeera Samarawickrama and Nishan Madushka, both scoring 38. Asalanka’s entry transformed the momentum, as he struck boundaries early and played a composed innings to ensure the home side crossed the finish line comfortably.
West Indies’ bowling attack struggled to make an impact on a spin-friendly pitch, with Alzarri Joseph being the standout bowler, claiming 2 wickets for 30 runs. Gudakesh Motie was effective as well, conceding only 18 runs in his nine overs and taking the important wicket of Kusal Mendis.
With this victory, Sri Lanka has secured the ODI series, showcasing a balanced team performance led by their spinners and a solid batting display.
Match Scorecard
West Indies Innings: 189 all out (36 overs)
Sherfane Rutherford: 80 (82)
Gudakesh Motie: 50 (56)
Wanindu Hasaranga: 4/40 (9 overs)
Maheesh Theekshana: 3/25 (9 overs)
Asitha Fernando: 3/35 (9 overs)
Sri Lanka Innings: 190 for 5 (38.2 overs)
Charith Asalanka: 62* (61)
Sadeera Samarawickrama: 38 (61)
Nishan Madushka: 38 (51)
Alzarri Joseph: 2/30 (8 overs)
Gudakesh Motie: 1/18 (9 overs)
Sri Lanka wins by five wickets.
