IML: England Faces Windies as Sri Lanka Masters Triumph Over South Africa

Navi Mumbai, Feb 27 (NationPress) Just a day after their national team's disappointing exit from the Champions Trophy, the England Masters are set to clash with the West Indies Masters in the inaugural International Masters League 2025 this Thursday evening, aiming to keep their semifinal aspirations alive.

The England Masters began their IML 2025 journey with a nine-wicket loss to the India Masters. Now, they are determined to secure a win against Brian Lara's West Indies team and avoid the same fate as their senior national team, which suffered a narrow 8-run defeat against Afghanistan in their second match at the Champions Trophy in Lahore on Wednesday.

Thursday's match marks the final game at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai for this season, as the IML 2025 shifts to the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara for the next phase.

In other news, the Sri Lanka Masters made a strong comeback from their opening day defeat to India with an impressive victory over the South Africa Masters, showcasing a remarkable all-round performance.

The echoes of a glorious era resonated under the floodlights of the DY Patil Stadium as Hashim Amla's elegant half-century was eclipsed by dynamic fifties from Asela Gunaratne and Chinthaka Jayasinghe, leading the Sri Lanka Masters to a seven-wicket win against the South Africa Masters in an exhilarating league match.

Chasing a challenging target of 181, skipper Kumar Sangakkara and Upul Tharanga laid a solid foundation for the Sri Lanka Masters with a brisk 50-run start, before off-spinner Thandi Tshabalala managed to dismiss both in just 12 deliveries. The run-out of Lahiru Thirimanne further put pressure on the Sri Lankans.

At 69/3, the Sri Lanka Masters were in urgent need of stability, which was provided by the duo of Gunaratne (59 not out) and Jayasinghe (51 not out), who forged an unbeaten 114-run partnership that set the team on the path to victory. They capitalized on the dew, with both batsmen accelerating after weathering the initial phase, as the bowlers struggled to maintain control over the scoring.

Consequently, Gunaratne raced to a 30-ball fifty while Jayasinghe swiftly reached his half-century in just 23 balls, guiding the side to victory in 17.2 overs.

Earlier, Amla rolled back the years with a stunning half-century, his elegant strokes reminiscent of his glory days, as he perfectly blended aggression with finesse to score 76 runs off 53 balls and lay a solid foundation after Kumar Sangakkara won the toss and opted to field.

Opening alongside Morne van Wyk, Amla set the tone with a steady 41-run partnership, before joining forces with the legendary Jacques Kallis to further exploit the Sri Lankan bowlers.

Together, they brought back memories of their prime, striking the ball with effortless grace, and propelled South Africa past the three-figure mark with a 65-run partnership for the third wicket.

Left-arm spinner Chaturanga de Silva ended the flourishing partnership with the dismissal of captain Kallis, who scored 24 runs off 20 balls, before Isuru Udana ended Amla's resistance after the right-hander struck six boundaries and four sixes.

The quick dismissals of Kallis and Amla left South Africa Masters in a precarious position, with the scoreboard reading 138/4 by the 17th over, but a rapid 13-ball 28 runs from Dane Vilas, including three boundaries and a six, alongside a 30-run partnership with Jacques Rudolph (9), helped regain the momentum.

Brief scores:

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) lost to 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) by 7 wickets.