Led by Charith Asalanka, Sri Lanka clinched the ODI series against West Indies with a five-wicket win in the rain-affected second match in Pallekele. Wanindu Hasaranga (4/40), Maheesh Theekshana (3/25) and Asitha Fernando (3/35) were the star performers with the ball as West Indies were bowled out for 189 in a game reduced to 44-overs-per-side before a half-century from their captain sealed the chase with 5.4 overs to spare.
Towards the halfway mark, it looked like West Indies had done remarkably to post a competitive total on a tricky used pitch. The visitors were reduced to a shambolic 58/8 at one stage, but a vital 119-run stand between Sherfane Rutherford and Gudakesh Motie resuscitated the innings and handed them a fighting chance.
Rutherford was the beneficiary of two dropped catches (on 23 and 72) and kept the scoreboard moving with boundaries. Motie, known more for his bowling skills, was an able ally to Rutherford, reaching his ODI fifty off 61 balls. Their efforts dragged West Indies from the verge of collapse to a total in excess of 150.
Brief Scores: West Indies 189 in 36 overs (Shefane Rutherford 80, Gudakesh Motie 50*; Wanindu Hasaranga 4-40, Maheesh Theekshana 3-25, Asitha Fernando 3-35) lost to Sri Lanka 190/5 in 38.2 (Charith Asalanka 62*; Alzarri Joseph 2-30) by 5 wickets (DLS)
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