Twitter Reactions: Wanindu Hasaranga's quick-fire knock steers Sri Lanka to a thrilling victory over West Indies

Fernando and Karunaratne smashed half-centuries while Perera smacked 42 runs off 50 deliveries to make things easier for the Islanders.

By Ameya Barve

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Wanindu Hasaranga
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Wanindu Hasaranga. (Photo by ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP via Getty Images)

Hosts Sri Lanka registered a thrilling one-wicket victory over West Indies as they chased down the target of 290 runs with five balls to spare. The encounter undoubtedly turned out to be a nail-biting thriller as Sri Lanka’s wickets kept tumbling in their pursuit of the target. The Islanders won the toss and put West Indies to bat first and the Men in Maroon amassed 289 runs on the scoreboard at the loss of seven wickets.

After the Caribbean side suffered an early blow in the form of Sunil Ambris, it was his fellow opener Shai Hope who stuck in the middle till the 46th over and amassed his ton to ensure West Indies post a competitive total on the board. Hope stitched 115 runs in 140 deliveries including 10 fours.

Many players extended their help to Shai Hope‘s endeavour of keeping the scoreboard alive by playing vital cameos in the West Indies’ innings. Veteran Darren Bravo also scored a vital 39-run knock which included three fours and two sixes along with Roston Chase, who smashed 41 runs from 45 deliveries. It was looking like it will be a cakewalk for the Caribbean side to touch the 250-run mark.

However, Keemo Paul, while coming down the order, had other plans. Paul notched up the run-churning momentum of his side by delivering an explosive knock in the death overs. The Sri Lankan bowling force was left reeling against his 17-ball 32 that included 4 fours and a solitary six. Hayden Walsh Jr. also joined the bandwagon by gathering 20 runs off just eight balls as the scoreboard depicted 289/7 at the end of West Indies’ innings.

Isuru Udana emerged as the pick of Sri Lankan bowling force as he scalped three wickets in his spell while conceding 82 runs. Apart from Udana’s late success to pluck West Indies’ wickets, no other Sri Lankan bowlers was successful in providing regular breakthroughs.

Wanindu Hasaranga crucial knock snatched the victory for hosts

Coming on to Sri Lanka’s run-chase, the trio of Avishka Fernando, Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Perera paved the way for their side’s victory after propelling them to a formidable start. Fernando and Karunaratne smashed half-centuries while Perera smacked 42 runs off 50 deliveries to make things easier for the Islanders.

However, after the trio’s departure, it was the crucial knock of Perera– 32 runs off 22 balls– which bolstered hosts’ run-chase and steered them closer to the triumph. However, the possibility of a defeat was looming over Sri Lanka’s head after they kept losing wickets at regular wickets. It was Wanindu Hasaranga’s unbeaten cameo which clinched the victory for hosts Sri Lanka. Alzarri Joseph, who scalped three wickets while giving 42 runs in his spell, emerged as the top-performing bowler for the Men in Maroon.

After suffering a six-wicket defeat in the opening ODI of the series, Sri Lanka have retaliated and levelled the four-match series 1-1. Both the teams are next slated to meet in the third ODI of the series on February 26 at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, Hambantota.

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