Sri Lanka delivered an impressive performance, led by Pathum Nissanka's second consecutive century and Maheesh Theekshana's superb bowling, securing an emphatic eight-wicket win over West Indies in the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier. With Sri Lanka comfortably qualifying for the final against the Netherlands, this dominant victory served as a valuable warm-up.
Chasing a target of 244, Sri Lanka displayed composure and ease, thanks to a remarkable opening partnership of 190 runs between Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaratne. Although both batsmen were granted reprieves by West Indies' sloppy fielding, they made the most of the opportunities. Nissanka scored a brilliant 104, while Karunaratne contributed 83. Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama then completed the chase with 34 balls to spare.
West Indies' Keacy Carty provided the lone standout performance with a resilient 87 runs off 96 balls, rescuing his team from a precarious situation. At a certain point, it looked like West Indies would struggle against Sri Lanka's strong bowling, following the pattern of teams scoring under 200 runs against them in the tournament.
Early on, Johnson Charles impressed with a quick 36-run opening partnership with Brandon King. However, Maheesh Theekshana's introduction into the attack turned the tide in Sri Lanka's favor. King lost his wicket attempting a sweep, followed by Shamarh Brooks getting dismissed after a faint edge to the keeper. Shai Hope was trapped lbw, leaving West Indies struggling at 155 for 8 when Theekshana dismantled Romario Shepherd's middle stump.
Despite the odds stacked against them, Carty showcased determination and resilience, forming crucial partnerships with the lower-order batsmen. His efforts, combined with fortunate dropped catches, lifted West Indies to a respectable total.
Throughout the game, Carty's application stood out amidst West Indies' lackluster performance. This was evident in the field as well, with several missed chances, including a glaring drop by captain Hope himself. Such inconsistencies have been a recurring theme in the tournament.
This match highlighted the contrasting trajectories of the two teams, as well as the gap between West Indies and the Associate teams. As Sri Lanka prepares to face the Netherlands in the final, they can expect a much tougher challenge. This victory serves as a statement of Sri Lanka's strength and sets the stage for an exciting clash in the upcoming match.