KINGSTON – West Indies’ usually dependable batting lineup failed to fire despite a promising start, while Sri Lanka’s batters came to the fore as the visitors won the all-important opening One Day International by 41 runs in Jamaica on Wednesday (June 3).
Led by half centuries from Pathum Nissanka and captain Kusal Mendis and meaningful contributions from Charith Asalanka and Janith Liyanage, Sri Lanka posted a competitive 303 for seven in 50 overs after being sent in to bat at Sabina Park.
The Windies were given a solid start and looked on track to mount a serious challenge until an all-familiar collapse saw them crumble from 125 for two to 167 for five, before eventually being bowled out for 262 in 49.2 overs.
The home side’s new look opening pair of John Campbell and Justin Greaves gave them a solid start by putting on 50 runs for the first wicket in six overs.
But against the run of play, Campbell was run out by some spectacular fielding by Liyanage at mid on, with his accurate throw shattering the stumps to leave him short.
Greaves looked on track for a half century after racing to 45 off 38 balls with five fours and one six, until he was cramped for room by a delivery from offspinner Maheesh Theekshana, which cannoned into his leg stump to make the score 73 for two.
Keacy Carty and Shai Hope put the Windies back on track in their run chase during a 52-run stand for the third wicket, which carried them to a comfortable position of 125 for two.
Just as the two batters were looking to change gears, the partnership was broken by another piece of spectacular fielding, this time by Kamindu Mendis, who dived to his right at midwicket to haul in the catch to dismiss Carty for 27.
Sherfane Rutherford made just two before he was trapped lbw by Wanindu Hasaranga to see West Indies slide to 134 for four.
Hope brought up his 31st ODI half-century off 61 balls by driving a delivery from Milan Rathnayake to long on for a single.
But the skipper then inexplicably gave his wicket away by hitting a delivery from Dushmantha Chameera straight into the hands of backward point to be dismissed for 56 off 66 deliveries, inclusive of two sixes and two fours.
Roston Chase and Gudakesh Motie added 47 runs, but needed nine overs to do so, which resulted in the required run rate spiralling past eight runs an over.
The chase was effectively over when both batters lost their wicket in the space of two runs, with Theekshana dismissing Motie for 22, while Chameera, who wrapped up the tail, bowled Chase for 33 to leave the chase in tatters at 216 for seven.
Matthew Forde and Shamar Joseph entertained during a 42-run partnership for the ninth wicket, but it was never going to be enough to carry their side to victory.
Earlier, Sri Lanka’s total might have looked a lot different had Keacy Carty held on to a sitter to dismiss Nissanka off the very first ball of the match.
The diminutive opener drove a full outswinger from pacer Jayden Seales straight into the hands of Carty stationed at cover, but he failed to hold on to the chest-high catch.
Some good bowling by Seales eventually earned him the breakthrough, with a series of short balls eventually leading to a mistimed pull by Kamindu Mendis that ballooned into the air for wicketkeeper Shai Hope to take the catch running back.
The missed chance to dismiss Nissanka proved costly, as he joined forces with Kusal Mendis to frustrate the Windies’ bowlers during a 136-run partnership for the second wicket.
Matthew Forde broke the stand by dismissing Kusal Mendis for 72 off 62 balls and Hope took a sharp catch diving onto the pitch to remove Nissanka for 79 off 103 balls.
Asalanka then hit 45 off 44 balls and Liyanage stroked an unbeaten 44 off 29 balls with five fours and one six to help the visitors get past the 300-run mark.
They were two wickets apiece for Forde (2-44), Chase (2-47) and Seales (2-67).
Pacer Alzarri Joseph, in his first competitive game in 10 months, looked rusty and his nine overs went for 65 runs.
CMC
Summarised scores
PAKISTAN 303-7 in 50 overs (Pathum Nissanka 79, Kusal Mendis 72, Charith Asalanka 45, Janith Liyanage 44 not out, Pavan Rathnayake 24, Kamindu Mendis 12; Matthew Forde 2-44, Roston Chase 2-47, Jayden Seales 2-67).
WEST INDIES 262 in 49.2 overs (Shai Hope 56, Justin Greaves 45, Roston Chase 33, Keacy Carty 27, Shamar Joseph 23 not out, John Campbell 17, Matthew Forde 15; Dushmantha Chameera 4-67, Maheesh Theekshana 2-26).
Sri Lanka won by 41 runs.
