A late cameo by Wanindu Hasaranga helped Sri Lanka pull off a thrilling chase to edge out West Indies by one wicket in the first ODI on Saturday.
Hasaranga, known for his leg-spin bowling, hit an unbeaten 42 after coming in to bat at number eight as Sri Lanka chased down their target of 290 with five balls to spare and lead the three-match series 1-0.
Hasaranga held his nerve after Sri Lanka slipped to 253 for seven following the departure of Thisara Perera for 32 to register his highest ODI score.
He built crucial partnerships including a 38-run stand with Perera and then put on 27 runs with Lakshan Sandakan for the ninth wicket.
With one to get off the last six ball Sandakan was run out but Keemo Paul bowled a no ball.
“Of course, winning is the ultimate thing but we made couple of mistakes that we have to learn from,” skipper Dimuth Karunaratne, who top-scored with 52, said after the victory.
For the West Indies, Alzarri Joseph claimed three wickets after Shai Hope made 115 in his team’s 289 for seven.
“I think we bowled too many bad balls in the start, gave them too many freebies, that’s where we lost the game. Our discipline was not there,” said Windies skipper Kieron Pollard
The second match is in Hambantota on Wednesday.