In the rain-affected second match in Pallekele, Sri Lanka won by five wickets to seal the ODI series against the West Indies. In a game that was cut to 44 overs per side, West Indies was bowled out for 189 by Wanindu Hasaranga (4 for 40),
Maheesh Theekshana (3 for 25), and Asitha Fernando (3 for 35). Their captain, Charith Asalanka, scored a half-century to seal the victory with 5.4 overs remaining.
It appeared that WI had saved something on a challenging used pitch near the midway point. After being lowered to 58/8 at one point in the second ODI against Sri Lanka, the visitors pulled off an incredible comeback, reaching 189. Sherfane Rutherford and Gudakesh Motie’s pivotal 119-run combination gave them a fighting chance and revitalized the innings.
After a lengthy rain delay cut the match to 44 overs each side, West Indies was sent in to bat first, but they had trouble with the new ball. Mahesh Theekshana tricked Alick Athanaze and bowled him early.
Asitha Fernando then took quick wickets, bowling Shai Hope and catching Brandon King in consecutive overs. In his maiden five-over session, Theekshana added another and bowled Keacy Carty to leave WI reeling at 31/4.
Wanindu Hasaranga also had an effect, leg breaking Romario Shepherd and googling Roston Chase out. During his subsequent over, he struck again, dismissing Alzarri Joseph for failing to keep a quicker delivery out.
With a faster, flatter delivery, Theekshana bowled Hayden Walsh, leaving WI reeling. At the time, his numbers were 6-1-16-3.
Motie (50* off 61) and Rutherford (80 off 82) launched an incredible counterattack at that point. Rutherford kept the scoreboard moving with boundaries and took advantage of two lost catches (on 23 and 72).
Motie, better known for his bowling ability, reached his ODI fifty off 61 balls with a superb knock. The West Indies was on the verge of collapse, but their efforts brought it back to over 100.
Eventually, Hasaranga finished the game with figures of 4 for 40 after dismissing Jayden Sealed with a googly after Rutherford flicked a full toss from Fernando, the man in the deep. WI had eight overs remaining in their innings when they were bowled out for 189.
Alzarri Joseph dismissed Sri Lanka’s Avishka Fernando early in the reply, and Kusal Mendis, who was bowled by Motie shortly after, followed him back to the pavilion.
However, a 62-run partnership between Sadeera Samarawickrama (38) and Nishan Madushka (38) helped to stabilize the inevitable run-chase.
Asalanka played the captain’s hand, scoring at run-a-ball and putting his team in an unassailable 2-0 lead in a three-match series after both set batters fell—Joseph’s slow off-cutter bowled Madushka and Samarawickrama mishandled a paddle stroke against Roston Chase.
Brief Scores: Sri Lanka 190/5 in 38.2 (Charith Asalanka 62*; Alzarri Joseph 2-30) defeated West Indies 189 in 36 overs (Shefane Rutherford 80, Gudakesh Motie 50*; Wanindu Hasaranga 4-40, Mahesh Theekshana 3-25, Asitha Fernando 3-35) by five wickets (DLS).
