Theekshana, Nissanka star as Sri Lanka trounce West Indies

Maheesh Theekshana's four-wicket haul and Pathum Nissanka's third ODI century propelled Sri Lanka to an emphatic eight-wicket victory over West Indies in Harare. The win means that Sri Lanka remain unbeaten in the Qualifiers and will go in as favorites against Netherlands in the final.

Chasing a target of 244, Sri Lanka got off to a flying start as Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaratne put together a commanding 190-run opening stand. Nissanka scored 104 off just 113 deliveries, including 12 boundaries whereas Karunaratne provided valuable support with his well-crafted 83 off 92, keeping Sri Lanka on top right through the chase.

Nissanka fell shortly after his hundred to Kevin Sinclair, caught at deep mid-wicket while trying to go for the big one, but the dismissal did not halt Sri Lanka's momentum as Kusal Mendis took charge and guided the team towards victory with a well-crafted 34*. Mendis, along with Sadeera Samarawickrama, finished the job with 34 balls to spare.

Earlier in the day, Theekshana's brilliant bowling accounted for Brandon King, Shamarh Brooks, and captain Shai Hope, leaving the hosts reeling at 62 for four. Keacy Carty's resilient knock of 87 together with contributions from Romario Shepherd (26) and Kevin Sinclair (25) pushed the total past 200 but West Indies weren't able to play all their overs and were bowled out for 243 with 11 balls left in the innings.

Brief Scores: West Indies 243 all out in 48.1 overs (Keacy Carty 87, Johnson Charles 39; Maheesh Theekshana 4/34) lost to Sri Lanka 244/2 in 44.2 overs (Pathum Nissanka 104, Dimuth Karunaratne 83; Kevin Sinclair 1/52) by 8 wickets