Sri Lanka Masters defeated South Africa Masters by seven wickets in the IML T20 2025 at DY Patil Stadium. Chinthaka Jayasinghe and Asela Gunaratne led the charge with fifties, helping chase down 181 runs comfortably. Hashim Amla’s half-century stood out for South Africa, but Sri Lanka’s solid partnerships and aggressive play secured their first tournament win.
In a compelling display of cricket at DY Patil Stadium, Sri Lanka Masters triumphed over South Africa Masters, securing a seven-wicket victory in the inaugural International Masters League T20 2025. Asela Gunaratne and Chinthaka Jayasinghe each scored impressive fifties, overshadowing Hashim Amla’s remarkable half-century for the South Africa side. The Sri Lankan team chased down a target of 181 runs efficiently, making their way to 183 runs in just 17.2 overs.
The match commenced with Kumar Sangakkara and Upul Tharanga establishing a quick 50-run partnership for Sri Lanka Masters. However, the South African bowlers made significant inroads soon after, led by Thandi Tshabalala, who dismissed both openers in a swift succession. Following some early setbacks, notably the run-out of Lahiru Thirimanne, Sri Lanka found themselves at 69 for 3 at one stage.
The solid partnership between Gunaratne and Jayasinghe became paramount, as they forged an impressive 114-run partnership to steer their side towards victory. Gunaratne reached his fifty in just 30 balls, while Jayasinghe achieved his half-century in 23 balls, both adopting an aggressive stance to conclude the innings successfully. This victory marked an important first win for Sri Lanka Masters in the tournament.
In the first match of the tournament, Sri Lanka Masters had narrowly lost to India Masters by four runs in a thrilling contest. In that game, the Sri Lankan team attempted to chase down 222 runs, only to fall short in the final overs due to outstanding bowling from Abhimanyu Mithun, who claimed two crucial wickets in the dying moments of the match.
Previously, Amla’s sublime innings of 76 runs off 53 balls had established a promising platform for South Africa Masters. He demonstrated a blend of aggression and elegance, partnering with other key players, including Jacques Kallis, who contributed with 24 runs. South Africa’s batting lineup faced a middle-order collapse after a strong start, making the later overs intense and crucial for their overall total.
In conclusion, Sri Lanka Masters showcased their resilience and skill by claiming a convincing seven-wicket victory against South Africa Masters in IML T20 2025. The brilliant performances from Asela Gunaratne and Chinthaka Jayasinghe were pivotal in the chase, resulting in their first win of the tournament. The match highlighted the thrilling nature of T20 cricket, promising an exciting year ahead in the International Masters League.
Original Source: www.newsband.in
