A nerveless spell from Inoka Ranaweera powered Sri Lanka women to a tense ten-run victory over West Indies women in the opening ODI, successfully defending 240 in a gripping finish.
Asked to bat first, Sri Lanka constructed their innings around composed half-centuries from Hasini Perera (61 off 86) and Harshitha Samarawickrama (66 off 105). The pair steadied the innings after early wickets, rotating strike effectively while punishing loose deliveries. Captain Chamari Athapaththu contributed 27, and late impetus arrived through Dewmi Vihanga’s brisk 14 off six balls, lifting Sri Lanka to a competitive 240 for 6.
West Indies’ reply wobbled early, but experience and composure brought them back into the contest. Stafanie Taylor anchored the chase with a fluent 66 off 83 balls, while Jannillea Glasgow added a valuable 50. Their 89-run stand shifted momentum, and with Aaliyah Alleyne at the crease, the hosts looked poised for a late surge.
Ranaweera, however, swung the game decisively. The left-arm spinner first removed Shemaine Campbelle and Chinelle Henry, then returned in the 40th over to break the Taylor–Glasgow partnership just as West Indies began to accelerate. She later dismissed Shawnisha Hector to finish with 4 for 44 from her ten overs.
With 12 required off the final over, the pressure was palpable. Kavisha Dilhari kept her nerve, claiming two wickets to seal the contest as West Indies were bowled out for 230 in 49.4 overs.
The victory hands Sri Lanka a 1-0 series lead and continues their recent dominance over West Indies in ODIs, marking four wins in their last five meetings since 2017.