Hasaranga steers Sri Lanka to dramatic win after Hope century
Sri Lanka took a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series with West Indies thanks to heroics from Wanindu Hasaranga.
Published : Feb 22, 2020 19:07 IST
Wanindu Hasaranga inspired Sri Lanka to a dramatic one-wicket win in the first ODI against West Indies with the highest successful chase at Colombo.
The Windies had set the host 290 to win the opening match of the three-game series, Shai Hope leading the way with 115 as he scored his ninth ODI century.
It was a target that looked like it could well be beyond Sri Lanka after their innings lost impetus following a 111-run first-wicket partnership between Avishka Fernando (50) and captain Dimuth Karunaratne (52).
Thisara Perera played an important role with a 22-ball 32, but when he was caught off the bowling of Alzarri Joseph the match was very much in the balance with Sri Lanka on 253-7.
However, Hasaranga (42 off 39) produced a performance that belied his ODI average of 14.37 to get Sri Lanka over the finish line.
Hasaranga's ability to find the rope – he struck a quartet of fours and one maximum – and inaccurate death bowling from the Windies left the scores level going into the final over.
A direct-hit run out from Sunil Ambris to remove Lakshan Sandakan frayed the nerves a little, but the one run Sri Lanka needed came from a Keemo Paul no-ball off the next delivery.