At the BCA Stadium in Vadodara, South Africa Masters won their first match of the inaugural International Masters League 2025 on Monday, defeating England Masters by seven wickets thanks to a spectacular half-century from star batsman Hashim Amla.

Both South Africa and England went into the match hoping to make an impression in the tournament after losing both of their first games. It ended up being an exciting encounter that took spectators back to a time of legendary fights, memorable strokes, and intense competitiveness.

Petersen, who missed a well-timed fifty by one, provided excellent assistance for Amla, who led South Africa Masters’ chase of 158 with a well-planned half-century. This enabled the team to overcome a difficult start. Amla and Petersen worked together to inflict further agony on the English bowlers when they were reduced to 38/2 after the early dismissals of captain Jaques Kallis (8) and Henry Davids for a duck.

With Amla reaching his fifty off 37 balls and Petersen consuming 39 deliveries for his 49 runs, the right-hander duo nearly put South Africa over the finish line before Farhaan Behardien finished the formalities with a first-ball boundary. They were able to revive the South African innings by matching each other stroke for stroke.

According to an IML news release, Amla stayed undefeated with a tough 57-ball score of 90, which included 12 hits to the fence and one over it. However, his 113-run combination with Petersen helped the team set the tone for the chase.

Earlier, South Africa’s choice to field after winning the toss paid off handsomely as their new ball duo, Vernon Philander and Garnett Kruger, dismissed Ian Bell and Phil Mustard, the opening pair for England, for ducks.

With a calculated half-century and a tottering at 9/2, Tim Ambrose spearheaded England’s comeback. He was well supported by captain Eoin Morgan, who teamed up with him to calm the ship with a third-wicket partnership of 73 runs.

Even though his partner, Ambrose, was content to play second fiddle, Morgan took the assault to the opposition with a 36-ball innings that included four boundaries and a six before he was dismissed.

Even though he was feeling the strain of changing gears, Ambrose maintained one end when Morgan left and managed to reach his fifty off 41 balls. As South Africa Masters bowlers Makhaya Ntini and Thandi Tshabalala began tightening the noose on the English hitters, Darren Maddy kept him company for the next 30 balls, scoring just 21 runs. Both Maddy (10) and Ambrose (53), who ultimately failed in their efforts to escalate the situation, were dismissed as a result of the absence of limits.

With a four off the first official ball he faced, Tim Bresnan (11) ended England’s boundary drought after 38 deliveries. His partner Chris Schofield (20 not out) then burst the shackles with consecutive sixes off Ntini. With three straight sixes in the last over, Chris Tremlett (19 not out) gave England the boost they needed to finish at 157/6.

Short scores: South Africa Masters 159/3 (Hashim Amla 90*, Alviro Petersen 49; Stuart Meaker 2/35) vs. England Masters 157/6 (Tim Ambrose 53, Eoin Morgan 36; Garnett Kruger 1/23).