West Indies succumb at Bina - Chameera's four-wicket haul seals Sri Lanka's 41-run victory in chaotic opener

In a match that had everything, from spectacular fielding and batting pyrotechnics to a bizarre power outage that briefly plunged Sabina Park into darkness, Sri Lanka held their nerve to defeat West Indies by 41 runs in the first One-Day International yesterday.

In the end. Sri Lanka posted 303 for seven, and then restricted the hosts West Indies to 262 all out.

West Indies captain Shai Hope played a captain's knock of 56 off 61 balls. 

Still, his dismissal, foxed by a clever off-cutter from Dushmantha Chameera, triggered a middle-order collapse from which the hosts never recovered.

Chameera was the architect of Sri Lanka's victory, bagging a workmanlike 4-45, including the key wickets of Hope, Roston Chase, Alzarri Joseph, and Matthew Forde in a devastating late spell of reverse-swing bowling.

Earlier, after West Indies captain Hope won the toss and elected to bowl on a flat Sabina Park surface, Sri Lanka's batters made the hosts pay for an early lapse that set the tone for a day of missed opportunities.

The first ball of the match, delivered by Jayden Seales, saw opener Pathum Nissanka stroking straight to Keacy Carty at cover. The ball went through the fielder's hands. 

It was a sign of things to come.

Nissanka made West Indies pay dearly, crafting a composed 79 off 103 balls before falling to Roston Chase, courtesy of a stunning reflex catch from wicketkeeper Hope off the back of the bat.

But the day belonged to captain Kusal Mendis, who bludgeoned 72 off just 62 balls, including four fours and four sixes. 

His partnership of 100 runs with Nissanka came off only 96 deliveries, wresting momentum from the hosts.

Charith Asalanka contributed 45, while Janith Liyanage remained unbeaten on 44 as Sri Lanka plundered 85 runs in the final powerplay, despite losing four wickets.

The home chase began with breathtaking urgency. Justin Greaves, with a quick-fire 45 off 38 balls and John Campbell, 17, raced to 50 inside six overs. 

But Campbell's running proved his undoing as a direct hit from Liyanage caught him short, completing a run-out that deflated the early momentum.

Greaves followed soon after, backing away to lose his leg stump to Maheesh Theekshana. 

Then came the moment of the match in the field. Asitha Fernando induced a firm flick from Keacy Carty on 27, only for Kamindu Mendis to launch himself to his right at midwicket, clutching a one-handed stunner behind his body.

Sherfane Rutherford lasted 12 balls on his way to five before he fell lbw to Wanindu Hasaranga.

At 134 for four, Hope and Chase rebuilt patiently, adding 50 for the fifth wicket. 

But when Chameera entered the attack, the innings unravelled. 

Hope was first deceived by a leg-cutter and spooned a catch to backward point. Then Chameera returned to demolish the lower order, including the wicket of Chase for 33.

With West Indies needing 43 runs from 8 balls and only Jayden Seales remaining, the chase was effectively over. But nobody expected what happened next.

At 6:21 p.m. local time, with the score on 261-9, every light in the stadium simultaneously failed. Players stood bewildered in the middle. 

When power was restored, Seales added two runs before Asalanka had him caught to end the contest. West Indies folded for 262 in 49.2 overs, falling 41 runs short.