Dasun Shanaka shines in dream ODI debut for Sri Lanka
Dasun Shanaka starred with bat and ball on his one-day international debut and Dinesh Chandimal made a century as Sri Lanka claimed a morale-boosting victory over Ireland in the first of two 50-over matches in Malahide.
Beaten 2-0 by England in their recent Test series, Sri Lanka began the limited-overs leg of their tour on Thursday seeking to rebuild confidence.
And Angelo Mathews' men were able to triumph by 76 runs on the Duckworth-Lewis Method as Shanaka followed a powerful batting cameo with figures of 5-43 in a rain-interrupted chase.
Chandimal was chiefly responsible for guiding the tourists to a healthy total of 303-7 after Ireland had opted to field first, the wicketkeeper striking 100 not out from 107 deliveries.
Kusal Mendis (51) and Mathews (49) also impressed, but it was Shanaka who took centre stage in the closing overs of Sri Lanka's innings, cracking five fours and three sixes in an entertaining 19-ball 42.
The all-rounder was not finished there and went on to claim the first three wickets in Ireland's reply.
Ireland captain Will Porterfield (73) shared 53 with opening partner Paul Stirling and a further 68 with the aggressive Kevin O'Brien (64), but Ireland remained behind the required run-rate and were 164-4 from 32.3 overs when rain forced a delay.
A revised target of 293 was set with three overs lost to rain and Ireland lost their way on the resumption to be dismissed for 216, Shanaka picking up two further scalps to round off an excellent display.