Navi Mumbai, February 27 The England Masters will play the West Indies Masters in the first-ever International Masters League 2025 here on Thursday night in an attempt to maintain their hopes of making it to the semifinals, one day after their national team’s heartbreaking Champions Trophy loss.
The England Masters lost against the India Masters by nine wickets to begin their IML 2025 campaign. After losing to Afghanistan by 8 runs in their second game at the Champions Trophy in Lahore on Wednesday, they will now be trying to upset Brian Lara’s West Indies squad and escape the same fate.
The IML 2025 will now play its next leg in the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara, with Thursday’s game marking the last one played at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai this season.
On the strength of a strong all-around effort, Sri Lanka Masters overcame their loss to India on the first day of play to overcome South Africa Masters.
In a thrilling league match, Sri Lanka Masters defeated South Africa Masters by seven wickets thanks to two bold fifties from Asela Gunaratne and Chinthaka Jayasinghe, overshadowing Hashim Amla’s elegant half-century. The floodlights of the DY Patil Stadium brought back memories of a bygone era to life.
The Sri Lanka Masters got off to a fast start of 50 runs thanks to captain Kumar Sangakkara and Upul Tharanga, who chased a difficult 181. However, South Africa rallied when off-spinner Thandi Tshabalala dismissed both players in 12 deliveries. The Sri Lankans were further shaken by Lahiru Thirimanne’s run-out.
The Sri Lanka Masters needed some steadiness badly after being reduced to 69/3, and the unbeaten 114-run partnership between Gunaratne (59 not out) and Jayasinghe (51 not out) put the Islanders on track for victory. Even though the bowlers struggled to stem the flow of runs, the pair made the most of the dew, with both hitters blasting after seeing through the first phase.
The team crossed the finish line in 17.2 overs thanks to a quick 30-ball fifty from Gunaratne and a 23-ball half-century from Jayasinghe.
Earlier, when Sri Lanka Masters captain Kumar Sangakkara won the toss and chose to field, Amla rolled back the years with a magnificent half-century, his graceful strokes evoking those heyday. He achieved a 53-ball 76 to lay the groundwork with the ideal balance of aggression and grace.
Amla set the tone with a solid 41-run partnership opening with Morne van Wyk, then teamed up with the legendary Jacques Kallis to inflict further suffering on the Sri Lankan bowlers.
With a 65-run partnership for the third wicket, they helped South Africa surpass the three-figure threshold while also bringing back memories of their best days.
The South Africa Masters captain Kallis, who scored 24 off 20 balls, was removed by left-arm spinner Chaturanga de Silva, ending the thriving partnership. Then, Isuru Udana put an end to Amla’s fight as the right-hander hit six boundaries and four huge sixes.
The South Africa Masters were in trouble after Kallis and Amla were dismissed quickly. By the 17th over, the score was 138/4. However, Dane Vilas’s explosive 13-ball 28, which included three boundaries and a six, and his 30-run partnership with Jacques Rudolph (9) helped them get back on track.
Short scores:
Sri Lanka Masters 183/3 in 17.2 overs (Asela Gunaratne 59 not out, Chinthaka Jayasinghe 51 not out, Upul Tharanga 29; Thandi Tshabalala 2/32) defeated South Africa Masters 180/6 in 20 overs (Hashim Amla 76, Dane Vilas 28 not out, Jacques Kallis 24; Chaturanga de Silva 2/28, Isuru Udana 2/44) by 7 wickets.
