Sri Lanka won the first ODI by 19 runs
Sri Lanka Edge England in Colombo Thriller
Sri Lanka pulled off a nail-biting 19-run win in the first ODI at Colombo, defending 271 against England’s chase of 252.
Sri Lanka’s Innings
- Openers Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara gave the hosts a steady start with a 50-run stand before both fell in quick succession.
- Kusal Mendis took charge early, counter-attacking with crisp boundaries and later anchoring the innings.
- He shared an 88-run partnership with Janith Liyanage, who struck a fluent 46 before falling to Adil Rashid.
- Late fireworks came from Dunith Wellalage, whose cameo lifted Sri Lanka to 271/6.
- Mendis remained unbeaten on 93, holding the innings together.
England’s Chase
- Zak Crawley fell early, but Ben Duckett (62) and Joe Root (61) rebuilt with a 117-run stand.
- Once Duckett was trapped LBW by Vandersay, England’s momentum stalled. Root followed soon after, undone by Dhananjaya de Silva.
- The middle order faltered against Sri Lanka’s spinners, with Asalanka and Wellalage striking crucial blows.
- Rehan Ahmed and Jamie Overton played aggressive cameos, with Overton smashing boundaries to keep England alive.
- However, needing 20 off the final over, Overton miscued a full toss to cover, sealing Sri Lanka’s victory.
Key Performers
- Sri Lanka: Kusal Mendis (93*), Janith Liyanage (46), Dunith Wellalage (quickfire cameo), Pramod Madhushan (3/39).
- England: Ben Duckett (62), Joe Root (61), Adil Rashid (3/44).
Result: Sri Lanka 271/6 (50 overs) defeated England 252 (49.2 overs) by 19 runs.
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