Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis Star as Sri Lanka Defeat West Indies in Opening ODI

Pathum Nissanka's composed 79 and skipper Kusal Mendis' fluent 72 powered Sri Lanka to a 41-run victory over the West Indies in the opening ODI on Wednesday.

After being asked to bat first, Sri Lanka posted a competitive 303/7, built around a crucial 136-run second-wicket partnership between Nissanka and Mendis. Charith Asalanka chipped in with 45, while Janith Liyanage remained unbeaten on 44 to provide the finishing touches.

In reply, West Indies captain Shai Hope led the chase with a 66-ball 56 and opener Justin Greaves struck 45 off 38 deliveries. However, despite a couple of promising partnerships, the hosts were bowled out for 262 in the final over.

The chase began steadily, with West Indies adding 50 runs for the opening wicket and another 52 for the third. But regular wickets disrupted their momentum and the required rate continued to rise.

Roston Chase offered some resistance with 33, but his dismissal — bowled by Dushmantha Chameera — effectively ended the contest. Chameera finished as Sri Lanka's standout bowler with figures of 4/67.

Having won the toss on a surface expected to assist slower bowlers, West Indies opted to field first and made an early breakthrough when Kamindu Mendis departed for 12 in the seventh over. Nissanka and Kusal Mendis then seized control of the innings, combining for 136 runs to put Sri Lanka in a commanding position.

Mendis scored a brisk 72 from 62 balls before falling with the score at 158/2, while Nissanka continued to anchor the innings before being dismissed for 79 off 102 deliveries.

West Indies needed breakthroughs during the middle overs, but Asalanka and Liyanage frustrated the bowlers with a valuable 64-run stand for the fifth wicket, helping Sri Lanka cross the 300-run mark.

Hope's dismissal at 167/5 in the 31st over left West Indies with an uphill task, and the lower order failed to mount a serious challenge thereafter.

There was a brief interruption late in the match when a floodlight malfunction forced the players off the field because of bad light. By then, however, the result was virtually settled, with West Indies requiring 43 runs from just eight balls with one wicket in hand.

The second ODI of the three-match series will be played in Kingston on Saturday, with the final match scheduled for Monday at Sabina Park.