PALLEKELE, Sept 29: Hosts Sri Lanka outsmarted the West Indies by nine wickets to move one step closer to a semi-final berth after winning their Super Eights group one match at Pallekele stadium on Saturday.

Sri Lankan spinners kept the West Indian big hitters to 129-5 in 20 overs before chasing the modest target in the 16th over for the loss of only one wicket to record their second win in the round of eight teams.

Mahela Jayawardene led the Sri Lankan reply with an unbeaten 65, sharing an unbroken 108-run stand for the second wicket with Kumar Sangakkara (39 not out) after Tillakaratne Dilshan fell for 13.

Sri Lanka must avoid defeat in their last match against England while the West Indies need to beat the Black Caps with a superior net run-rate – both games here on Monday – to reach the last four.—AFP