COLOMBO – Shai Hope’s ninth one-day international (ODI) hundred went in vain as West Indies lost their composure in the last ten overs to suffer a narrow one-wicket loss to Sri Lanka in a tense opener of the three-match series yesterday at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground.
After being sent in, West Indies made 289 for seven from their 50 overs spearheaded by Hope’s stylish 115 from 140 balls, his third century in his last eight innings and fifth in the last ten months.
Roston Chase (41) and Darren Bravo (39) both got starts but failed to carry on, while all-rounder Keemo Paul lashed a 17-ball unbeaten 32 batting at No. 8, to give the Caribbean side a strong finish.
Captain Dimuth Karunaratne topscored for Sri Lanka with 52 off 57 deliveries in a century opening stand with Avishka Fernando (50). Kusal Perera later contributed 42 off 50 balls. (CMC)
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