The first ODI between Sri Lanka and West Indies ended with a thrilling victory for the hosts in Colombo, as No. 8 batsman Wanindu Hasaranga smacked an unbeaten 42 to give his side a one-wicket win.

Chasing 290 to win, Sri Lanka were at one point 262 for eight. But Hasaranga held his nerve to helped his side sail to victory with five balls and a wicket to spare. Sri Lanka now lead the three-match series 1-0.

The match did not end without a late drama, as West Indies ran out Lakshan Sandakan from the first delivery of the final over to leave the scores level and Sri Lanka nine wickets down.

Eventually Hasaranga cracked Keemo Paul’s next ball through midwicket for the winning runs, though the delivery was a no-ball anyway, and Sri Lanka had already clinched the game without needing those runs.

Earlier Shai Hope scored his ninth ODI hundred to give his team a huge total of 289 for seven in their stipulated 50 overs. Hope scored 115 off 140 balls with the help of 10 fours. S econd highest 41 off came 45 came from Roston Chase’s bat while Darren Bravo also added 39 runs from 52 balls.

Isuru Udana was the pick of the bowlers, fetching three wickets for his side, including the prized one of Hope. However, he was also the most costly of the pack, giving away 82 runs in his 10.

Chasing a daunting total, Sri Lanka were off to a brilliant start, with openers Avishka Fernando (50 off 55 balls, 5 fours 1 six) and Dimuth Karunaratne (52 off 57 balls, 7 fours) stitching together 111 runs for the first wicket.

The 38-run partnership between Thisara Perera and Hasaranga for the seventh wicket was equally important for the hosts after they were slipped to 215 for six. Perera scored a quickfire 32 off just 22 balls with the help of 3 fours and a sixer.

The second ODI will take place in Hambantota on Wednesday before the final ODI is held in Kandy on Sunday, March 1.

Brief scores: West Indies 289/7 in 50 overs (Shai Hope 115, Roston Chase 41; Isuru Udana 3-82) lost to Sri Lanka 290/9 in 49.1 overs (Dimuth Karunaratne 52, Avishka Fernando 50, Wanindu Hasaranga 42*; Alzarri Joseph 3-42) by 1 wicket.