Twitter reaction: Evin Lewis' ton goes in vain as Sri Lanka prevails in a thrilling contest

Nuwan Pradeep held his nerve in the final over to give Sri Lanka a thrilling one-run victory over West Indies in the 5th ODI of the Tri-nation series. This win has taken them into the final of the competition. Chasing 330 runs to win, West Indies fell short of the target for the second time in as many matches. While the first time against Zimbabwe they were fortunate enough to escape with a tie, this time they ran out of luck and failed badly.

Opener Evin Lewis, playing in his only 4th ODI, led the chase from the front and despite not having any stable partner took his team to a winning position in the match. Carlos Brathwaite and Jason Holder played good cameos. But, all their efforts were eventually not going to be enough. This result now means that they will have to make sure that they beat Zimbabwe to meet Sri Lanka in the finals.

Lewis held the fort till the 41st over before he was unfortunately run out for 148. West Indies. however, did not lose control until the last five overs of their chase as Carlos Brathwaite and Holder stiched a 45 run stand for the for the 7th wicket. But, Nuwan Kulasekara pulled back the game in favour of the Lankans when he beat Brathwaite with an inswinging yorker and hit middle stump. Lakmal then provided another breakthrough, bowling full and taking out Ashley Nurse in the next over before Pradeep defended 10 runs off the last over.

Earlier, the young trio of Dhanajaya de Silva (58), Kusal Mendis (94) and Niroshan Dickwella (94) played with utmost control and took Sri Lanka to a formidable position in the first innings.

Highest maiden ODI century by WI players:
157* X Marshall
152 Gayle
148 Haynes, EVIN LEVIS#SLvWI

— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) November 23, 2016

30th time unlucky for West Indies. They haven't yet won a ODI chasing a victory target of 300+#SLvWI #TriSeries

— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) November 23, 2016

Suleiman Benn the Unsung Hero for Sri Lanka #SLvWI #Triseries pic.twitter.com/yYvr3AmCJq

— Extraa Innings (@TheYorkerBall) November 23, 2016

Highest ODI score when batsmen run out
173 D Warner v SA
156 H Masakadza v KEN
148 Evin Lewis`v SL #SLvWI @bhaleraosarang @RoshanCricket

— AMIT KUMAR (@akdot319) November 23, 2016

This is only the second time that Sri Lanka have won an ODI by one run
#SLvWI

— Green Cr¡cket (@Cricket_Newspk) November 23, 2016

West Indies' total of 329/9 today is the highest for a side losing a match by one run.#SLvWI #TriSeries

— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) November 23, 2016

Jason Holder takes West Indies so close to victories but don't help them cross the finish line #SLvWI

— Nabeel Hashmi (@HashmeNabeel) November 23, 2016

Pradeep's last over : 1 0 6 0 W 1 What a finish. Sri Lanka win by 1 run. #SLvWI

— Saurbh Sharma (@saimkumar05) November 23, 2016

https://twitter.com/Cricketracker/status/801455296996515840

Waiting for Indian fans to say " If MS Dhoni was there… He will score a six in that last ball "

???#SLvWI

— Sakun Sankalana (@Sakun_SD) November 23, 2016

https://twitter.com/nibrazramzan/status/801455545706225664

This triangular series is turning out to be interesting case of minnows might #SLvWI

— Rahul (@rahulksingh291) November 23, 2016

Holder ek end hold hi karte reh gaye,Udhar match chala gaya #SLvWI

— Bilal ( ‏بلال )? (@Ahmadbilal111) November 23, 2016

Feeling Sorry for @Jaseholder98
last match – last ball 1 run
This match – last ball 3 runs #SLvWI pic.twitter.com/itOlf4ZEfw

— Ishara Isuru ?⚽️? (@Ishisuru1) November 23, 2016

What a game,Good performance by both of the team,Atlast the better one wins by making many hearts happy #SLvWI #TriSeries

— Muhammed Zam LY (@zamly_zmy) November 23, 2016