A scintillating century from captain Kumar Sangakkara guided Sri Lanka Masters to a commanding nine-wicket victory over England Masters in the 13th game of International Masters League 2025 at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur on Monday, March 10. (More Cricket News)
The win lifted the Islanders to the top of the points table and also ended England Masters’ hopes of qualifying for the knockouts of the tournament, although they are left with one more game in the competition.
The Lankan bowlers restricted England Masters to a modest 146/5 in their 20 overs. With a chance to top the leaderboard by chasing down the target inside 15.4 overs, Sri Lanka Masters came out all guns blazing. Leading from the front, Sangakkara turned back the years with a rollicking 47-ball undefeated 106, powered by 19 fours and a six, treating the crowd to a masterclass in strokeplay.
With the dew settling in, the Islanders showed no mercy, racing to 108/0 in just nine overs. and Asela Gunaratne (22 not out) did not let the tempo down and chased down the target in a mere 12.5 overs. Sangakkara, who got to his hundred off a single, hit the winning runs with a six over long-on.
Earlier, England Masters’ Phil Mustard gave his side a promising start with a brisk 35-ball 50, stitching together two crucial stands — 37 runs with skipper Eoin Morgan (10) and another 50-run partnership with Tim Ambrose (17). But just when Mustard looked set to shift gears, the Sri Lankan bowlers turned the tide, striking at regular intervals and never allowing the English middle order to settle.
Sri Lanka Masters Vs England Masters, IML: Toss Update
Sri Lanka Masters won the toss and opted to bowl first against England Masters.
The Lankan side is being led by legendary wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Sangakkara. The Poms are being captained by former national side skipper Eoin Morgan.
Sri Lanka Masters Vs England Masters, IML: Playing XIs
Sri Lanka Masters: Upul Tharanga, Kumar Sangakkara (wk/c), Lahiru Thirimanne, Asela Gunaratne, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Jeevan Mendis, Seekkuge Prasanna, Isuru Udana, Chaturanga de Silva, Dilruwan Perera, Suranga Lakmal
England Masters: Phil Mustard (wk), Tim Ambrose, Eoin Morgan (c), Darren Maddy, Dimitri Mascarenhas, Tim Bresnan, Chris Schofield, Chris Tremlett, Monty Panesar, Ryan Sidebottom, Boyd Rankin
International Masters League: Live Streaming Details
Where is the International Masters League being telecast and live streamed?
The International Masters League is being telecast on the Colors Cineplex TV channels in India. It is being live streamed on the JioHotstar app and website in India.