Sri Lanka Clinch ODI Series Against West Indies with a Game to Spare

Sri Lanka secured a convincing 2-0 series victory against the West Indies in the second ODI at Pallekele, clinching the three-match series with one game left. Skipper Charith Asalanka led the charge with an unbeaten 62*, guiding Sri Lanka to a five-wicket win in a rain-shortened match, with 44 balls to spare.

Match Overview

• Sri Lanka: 190/5 in 36.4 overs
• West Indies: 189 all out in 36 overs
• Result: Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets (DLS Method)

The match, initially set for 50 overs per side, was reduced to 44 overs due to rain. West Indies, sent in to bat, struggled early, losing wickets rapidly to be 58 for 8, before a resilient stand between Shefarne Rutherford (80) and Gudakesh Motie (50*) revived their innings.

West Indies Innings

• Shefarne Rutherford: 80 (98 balls, 8 fours, 2 sixes)
• Gudakesh Motie: 50* (67 balls, 4 fours)
• Ninth-wicket partnership: 119 runs
• Best Sri Lankan bowler: Dushmantha Chameera – 3/25 in 7 overs
• Notable bowling performances: Maheesh Theekshana and Dilshan Madushanka picked up two wickets each as Sri Lanka dismantled the Windies’ top order. West Indies were bowled out for 189 in 36 overs.

Despite the ninth-wicket partnership, the total was below par, as Sri Lankan bowlers dominated the early stages, exploiting the seam-friendly conditions in Pallekele.

Sri Lanka’s Chase

Sri Lanka’s chase wasn’t smooth, as they lost opener Avishka Fernando early for 12, followed by Kusal Mendis (14) as Alzarri Joseph and Romario Shepherd kept the pressure on.

• Nishan Madushka: 38 (53 balls, 3 fours)
• Sadeera Samarawickrama: 38 (47 balls, 4 fours)
• Third-wicket partnership: 62 runs
• Charith Asalanka: 62* (48 balls, 5 fours, 1 six)
• Janith Liyanage: 24 (28 balls)

After a 62-run stand between Madushka and Samarawickrama, Asalanka steadied the innings and built another key partnership with Janith Liyanage (24) to ensure Sri Lanka crossed the target comfortably.

Asalanka’s form continues to impress as he followed up his 77 in the first ODI with a match-winning knock in the second.

Key Statistics:

1. Charith Asalanka’s Series Performance: 139 runs in 2 ODIs, averaging 139.00 with a strike rate of 92.66.
2. Sri Lanka Bowling Attack: Chameera has taken 5 wickets in 2 matches, averaging 12.80 with an economy rate of 4.71.
3. Shefarne Rutherford’s Impact: The top scorer for the West Indies with 121 runs in 2 innings, averaging 60.50.
4. Ninth-Wicket Partnership Record: The 119-run stand between Rutherford and Motie is one of the highest ninth-wicket partnerships for the West Indies in ODIs.

Conclusion

With this win, Sri Lanka sealed the ODI series 2-0, leaving the third and final game as a formality. The team’s dominance, particularly with both ball and bat in the middle overs, highlights their improving performance heading into future challenges. The West Indies, meanwhile, will look to salvage some pride in the final game after back-to-back losses.