Sri Lanka The winner started the 2026 tour West IndiaSabina Park beat the hosts by 41 runs in the first ODI in Kingston. A brilliant all-round batting effort led by him Where in Mandy‘ attacked for 72, helping the visitors to post a challenging 303/7 before the bowlers finished the job, dismissing the West Indies for 262 in 49.2 overs.
Kusal Mendis powers Sri Lanka to a strong total
After being asked to bat first, Sri Lanka built their innings around a solid opening contribution Pathum Nissanka and Mendis’ smooth tapping. Nissanka closed the innings with a well-crafted 103 off 79 deliveries, hitting nine fours and a six. Although Kamindu Mendis Departed early for 12, Mendis took charge and swung the momentum in Sri Lanka’s favour.
The wicketkeeper-batsman played an entertaining knock of 72 off just 62 balls, smashing four boundaries and four sixes. His aggressive approach ensured that Sri Lanka scored healthy runs in the medium overs. Pawan Rathnayake added 24 while captain Charith Asalanka contributed a valuable 45 off 44 balls.
Sri Lanka got another boost in the closing stages Janith Liyanagewho made a crucial cameo 44 in just 29 deliveries. His innings included five fours and a six and helped the visitors gain significant momentum in the final overs. Wanindu Hasaranga Sri Lanka chipped in with a quick seven off four balls as they crossed the 300-run mark, finishing with 303/7 from their allotted 50 overs.
For West Indies, Matthew Forde and Roston Chase were the most effective bowlers with each claiming two wickets. Jayden Seales also took two scalps but the home side struggled to contain the Sri Lankan batting in the latter stages of the innings.
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Dushmantha Chameera and Maheesh Theekshana derailed West Indies’ chase
Chasing 304 for victory, West Indies started positively John Campbell and Justin Greaves. Campbell hit 17 off 14 balls before falling early, while Greaves played an aggressive 45 off 38. Keacy Carty 27 and Capt. added Shai Umid He kept the chase alive with 56 off 66 balls. Hope mixed caution with aggression, hitting two fours and two sixes but without significant support from the middle order.
Shefane Rutherford Chase fought hard with 33 and Gudakesh Motie with 22. Shamar Yusif 23 low-spirited additions down the order, but continued to climb the required rate.
Sri Lanka’s bowling attack kept the pressure on throughout the chase. Dushmantha Chameera He was an outstanding performer, finishing with impressive figures of 4/67 from 10 overs. Mahesh Theekshana delivered a match-defining spell, claiming 2/26 in his full quota and suffocating the run flow during the middle overs.
We hate Fernando and Hasaranga chipped in with each wicket, while Asalanka produced the final strike to secure victory for the visitors. West Indies were eventually bowled out for 262 with four balls to spare. Mendis was adjudged Man of the Match for his explosive 72-run knock that laid the foundation for Sri Lanka’s comprehensive match win.
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