BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe (CMC):

West Indies batsman Evin Lewis has become the leading scorer in the current Tri-Nations Series after scoring his maiden one day international (ODI) century here on Wednesday.

Lewis roared to148 off 122 balls in just his fourth ODI, to propel a run chase against Sri Lanka, but West Indies lost by just one run in a tense encounter.

The 24-year-old left-hander struck 15 boundaries and four sixes - to record the second highest score by a West Indian in Zimbabwe.

"Yes, it's a good feeling. I got to open today. I went out there and was positive about myself. I felt good," said Lewis, now the tournament's leading run scorer with 193 runs in three innings.

"It was always a tough target to get. The players tried their best to get the score. We came very close to winning the game and it is good to see we went out there and was positive."

Lewis stared in an opening stand of 63 with Johnson Charles, who scored 26 and 70 for the second wicket with Kraigg Brathwaite.

West Indies must beat Zimbabwe in today's virtual semi-final encounter to advance to Sunday's final against Sri Lanka.

"It is a must-win situation we are in against Zimbabwe. We have to go out there and regroup as a team and play our best cricket," said Lewis.

Lewis, promoted to the opening spot, recorded his second international century of the year - following his 100 against India in the T20 Series in Florida.

However he rode his luck during his enterprising innings by surviving several chances and also struggled to recover from a bout of cramps during his stay at the crease.

"It was a bit of pain. After I hit the first six I felt something in my leg," said Lewis.

"I said at the end of the day, I have to pull through this innings for the team, and I just kept going from there."