Asalanka, Madushka Guide Sri Lanka to 1-0 Lead Over West Indies

Sri Lanka 234 for 5 (Asalanka 77, Madushka 69, Motie 3-47) defeated West Indies 185 for 4 (Rutherford 74*, Carty 37, Chase 33*, Hasaranga 2-18) by five wickets (DLS method) in the first ODI at Pallekele.

Sri Lanka comfortably chased down a DLS-adjusted target of 232 thanks to a crucial 137-run partnership between Charith Asalanka (77) and debutant Nishan Madushka (69). Despite both falling before the chase was complete, their efforts lifted Sri Lanka from 45 for 3 in the seventh over to a position of control, securing a five-wicket victory.

Sri Lanka had been placed under early pressure, with Madushka and Avishka Fernando opening the innings. However, they soon found themselves two down with just 45 runs on the board, as Avishka drove straight to point, and Kusal Mendis top-edged a pull shot. The pair of Asalanka and Madushka then took charge, and their calculated counterattack helped Sri Lanka recover and push ahead of the DLS equation, with the threat of rain looming.

Madushka’s steady knock, peppered with boundaries after a cautious start, complemented Asalanka’s more aggressive approach. By the 10th over, Sri Lanka was well ahead of the required rate, with both batters finding regular boundaries. Their dominance in the middle overs was key to neutralizing any potential danger from West Indies’ bowling attack.

West Indies’ best performer with the ball was left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie, who took 3 for 47 and caused trouble for the Sri Lankan batters, especially in his first spell. Motie dismissed both Madushka and Asalanka, but by that time, the required run rate had dropped significantly, and Sri Lanka’s victory was inevitable. Kamindu Mendis (30*) and Janith Liyanage (18*) finished the job, guiding Sri Lanka home with ease.

Earlier in the day, West Indies posted 185 for 4 from 38.3 overs before rain halted their innings. Sherfane Rutherford’s unbeaten 74 off 78 balls had provided stability after the visitors were reduced to 54 for 3. His partnership with Roston Chase (33*) added 85 runs, giving West Indies a chance of a competitive total before the rain intervened.

Sri Lanka’s spinners dominated on the dry Pallekele pitch, with Wanindu Hasaranga taking 2 for 18 and Jeffrey Vandersay and Asalanka claiming a wicket each. The West Indies innings lacked momentum in the middle overs, with only sporadic boundaries breaking the slow accumulation of singles and dots. At one stage, West Indies went 47 deliveries without a boundary, highlighting the pressure applied by Sri Lanka’s spin attack.

Despite a promising recovery by Rutherford and Chase, West Indies’ hopes of a bigger total were dashed when rain curtailed their innings, leaving Sri Lanka a DLS-adjusted target of 232, which they comfortably chased down to take a 1-0 lead in the series.