Sri Lanka Masters vs West Indies Masters: The second semi-final of the International Masters League 2025 was played between Sri Lanka Masters and West Indies Masters on Friday. In this match held in Raipur, Kumar Sangakkara’s team had to face defeat by 6 runs in the last over.
With this, Sri Lanka’s dream of winning the trophy was shattered. Playing first, West Indies scored 179 runs for the loss of 5 wickets. In the reply innings, the Sri Lankan team was able to score 173 runs for the loss of 9 wickets after playing the entire over. Tino Best was the hero of this victory from West Indies, who took 4 wickets to his name.
Dinesh Ramdin wreaked havoc with the bat
In this match, Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bowl first. Playing first, West Indies did not have a good start. Dwayne Smith fell victim to a golden duck. After this, William Perkins and Lendl Simmons batted responsibly and played a 43-run partnership for the second wicket.
However, after this, two wickets of West Indies fell within five runs and the team looked in trouble. But captain Brian Lara and Dinesh Ramdin batted brilliantly. Lara retired hurt after scoring 41 runs in 33 balls. Ramdin scored an unbeaten 50 runs in 22 balls, which included 4 fours and 3 sixes. In this way, West Indies scored 179 runs after losing 5 wickets after playing the full overs.
Poor performance from Sri Lankan batsmen
Sri Lanka had a good start while chasing the target. There was a partnership of 31 runs for the first wicket between Upul Tharanga and Sangakkara. Captain Sangakkara was out after scoring 17 runs. After this, Lahiru Thirimane also could not show anything special and returned to the pavilion after scoring 9 runs.
Asela Gunaratne came to the crease at number 4, who batted brilliantly and scored 66 runs facing 42 balls. With the help of this innings, Sri Lanka’s team reached the threshold of victory and it needed 15 runs in the last over to win the match and had two wickets in hand. But Sri Lanka could score only 8 runs and lost the match by 6 runs.
𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗦 𝗛𝗜𝗚𝗛, 𝗦𝗥𝗜 𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗞𝗔 𝗠𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦! 💙
— INTERNATIONAL MASTERS LEAGUE (@imlt20official) March 14, 2025
A tough end to a fantastic campaign, but your fight, passion, and spirit made this journey unforgettable! 👏#IMLT20 #TheBaapsOfCricket #IMLonJioHotstar #IMLonCineplex pic.twitter.com/2deptmLyXs
With the help of this victory, the West Indies team was successful in making it to the finals. Now Brian Lara’s team will compete with the Indian team in the final, which will be played on March 16.
