Kusal Mendis, bowlers help Sri Lanka take 1-0 lead over West Indies

Sri Lanka national cricket team secured a 41-run win over West Indies cricket team in the opening ODI at Sabina Park, with Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka and the bowlers combining to hand the visitors a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

After being put in to bat on a surface offering some assistance, Sri Lanka posted 303 for 7 thanks to valuable contributions throughout the innings. Pathum Nissanka anchored the innings with 79, while Kusal Mendis injected momentum with a quickfire 72 off 62 deliveries. Captain Charith Asalanka and Janith Liyanage then added important late runs to push Sri Lanka beyond the 300-mark.

West Indies began brightly in the chase and raced to 50 without loss inside six overs, but regular wickets derailed their pursuit. Captain Shai Hope top-scored with 56, while Justin Greaves contributed 45, though the hosts struggled to build substantial partnerships during the middle overs.

Sri Lanka’s spin attack played a key role in tightening the chase. Maheesh Theekshana delivered an economical spell of 2 for 26, consistently troubling the batters with his variations, while Wanindu Hasaranga chipped in with a wicket. Fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera was the standout strike option, claiming 4 for 67 with sharp pace and reverse swing.

Kusal shifted the momentum of the innings after Sri Lanka’s cautious start, taking apart Gudakesh Motie with four sixes down the ground during an aggressive counterattack. His 136-run second-wicket partnership with Nissanka laid the foundation for the visitors’ winning total.

Nissanka, despite not timing the ball fluently, held the innings together with disciplined shot selection and hard running between the wickets. Later, Asalanka’s 45 and Liyanage’s unbeaten 44 off 29 balls added the finishing touches.

West Indies briefly threatened through their aggressive start, but Sri Lanka’s disciplined bowling and sharper fielding kept the required rate climbing. From 167 for 5, the hosts gradually lost control before eventually being bowled out with four balls remaining.

The defeat also exposed concerns for the West Indies bowling unit, which lacked consistency during the middle overs and leaked extra runs through wides and loose deliveries.

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