WI vs SL, 1st ODI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis shine as Sri Lanka beat West Indies by 41 runs

Kusal Mendis (Getty Images) NEW DELHI: Pathum Nissanka’s composed 79 and skipper Kusal Mendis’ fluent 72 guided Sri Lanka to a 41-run victory over West Indies in the opening ODI on Wednesday.After being asked to bat first, Sri Lanka posted a competitive 303/7, built on a key 136-run partnership between Nissanka and Mendis. Charith Asalanka chipped in with 45 while Janith Liyanage remained unbeaten on 44 to set up the finishing touches.In response, West Indies captain Shai Hope led the chase with a 66-ball 56 and opener Justin Greaves hit 45 off 38 deliveries. However, despite some promising partnerships, the hosts were bowled out for 262 in the final over.The chase got off to a steady start with West Indies adding 50 runs for the opening wicket and another 52 for the third. However, regular goals disrupted their momentum and the required speed continued to increase. Roston Chase offered some resistance with 33, but his dismissal – dismissed by Dushmantha Chameera – effectively ended the match. Chameera finished as Sri Lanka’s outstanding bowler with figures of 4/67.After winning the toss on a surface expected to help the slower bowlers, West Indies opted to bat first and made an early breakthrough when Kamindu Mendis departed for 12 in the seventh over.Nissanka and Kusal Mendis then took control of the innings and combined for 136 runs to put Sri Lanka in a commanding position. Mendis scored a brisk 72 off 62 balls before falling at 158/2, while Nissanka continued to anchor the innings before being dismissed for 79 off 102 deliveries.West Indies needed breakthroughs in the middle overs, but Asalanka and Liyanage frustrated the bowlers with a valuable 64 for the fifth wicket, helping Sri Lanka cross the 300-run mark.Hope’s dismissal at 167/5 in the 31st over left the West Indies with an uphill task and the lower order failed to mount a serious challenge thereafter.There was a brief interruption at the end of the match when a floodlight malfunction forced the players off the field due to poor light. By then, however, the score was virtually even, with West Indies requiring 43 runs from just eight balls with one wicket in hand.The second ODI of the three-match series is played in Kingston on Saturday, with the final match scheduled for Monday at Sabina Park.