IML 2025: Amla and Petersen Shine as South Africa Masters Secure 7-Wicket Victory
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Synopsis
In a thrilling encounter, South Africa Masters achieved their first win in the IML 2025, defeating England Masters by seven wickets. Led by Hashim Amla's impressive 90 not out and Alviro Petersen's solid support, South Africa chased down England's total at the BCA Stadium.
Key Takeaways
- Hashim Amla scored a brilliant 90 runs.
- South Africa Masters chased down 158.
- Alviro Petersen contributed significantly with 49 runs.
- England Masters struggled after early wickets.
- South Africa's bowlers delivered a strong performance.
Vadodara, March 3 (NationPress) South Africa Masters clinched their first victory in the inaugural International Masters League (IML) 2025 by defeating England Masters by seven wickets at the BCA Stadium on Monday, thanks to a remarkable half-century from Hashim Amla.
This thrilling match revived memories of legendary clashes, with both teams eager to secure their initial win after losing their opening games. Amla played a pivotal role in South Africa Masters' chase of 158 runs, scoring a meticulously crafted half-century, supported by Alviro Petersen, who narrowly missed a fifty by just one run, aiding in a comeback from an early setback.
After losing Henry Davids for a duck and skipper Jaques Kallis for just 8 runs, South Africa was struggling at 38/2 when Amla and Petersen came together to dominate the English bowlers.
The duo matched each other in stroke play, reviving the South African innings with Amla reaching his fifty off 37 balls, while Petersen took 39 deliveries for his 49 runs, leading the team closer to the target before Farhaan Behardien sealed the win with a boundary off his first ball. Amla remained unbeaten, scoring 90 runs off 57 balls, adorned with 12 boundaries and a six, and the duo's 113-run partnership set the tone for the successful chase.
Earlier in the match, South Africa benefited from their decision to bowl first after winning the toss, with their opening bowlers Vernon Philander and Garnett Kruger dismissing the English openers Phil Mustard and Ian Bell for ducks. England's innings started poorly at 9/2, but Tim Ambrose steadied the innings with a calculated half-century, supported by skipper Eoin Morgan, forming a 73-run partnership for the third wicket.
Morgan scored 36 runs off 34 balls, hitting four boundaries and a six, before being dismissed. Ambrose, who completed his fifty off 41 balls, faced pressure to accelerate the scoring rate as Darren Maddy provided minimal support, leading to both players' dismissals as South Africa tightened their grip on the game.
Tim Bresnan ended England's boundary drought after 38 deliveries with a four, while Chris Schofield (20 not out) broke free with back-to-back sixes. In the final over, Chris Tremlett (19 not out) smashed three consecutive sixes, helping England finish at 157/6.
Brief scores:
England Masters 157/6 (Tim Ambrose 53, Eoin Morgan 36, Chris Schofield 20 not out; Garnett Kruger 1-23, Vernon Philander 1-29) lost to South Africa Masters 159/3 (Hashim Amla 90 not out, Alviro Petersen 49; Stuart Meaker 2/35) by 7 wickets.
