By Deepak Sharma (Indian Correspondent)
Raipur, India (10-03-2025): Kumar Sangakkara rolled back the years with a vintage display, smashing an unbeaten century to steer Sri Lanka Masters to a comprehensive nine-wicket win over England Masters in their final group match of the International Masters League (IML) 2025 at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium on Monday.
The emphatic victory not only propelled the Sri Lankans to the top of the points table but also ended England Masters’ slim hopes of reaching the semifinals, despite having one more fixture left in their campaign.
Already assured of a spot in the knockouts, Sangakkara’s men took the field with confidence and made an immediate impact after opting to bowl first. The bowlers executed their plans to perfection, restricting England Masters to a modest 146 for 5 in 20 overs.
With an opportunity to seal the top position by chasing the target within 15.4 overs, Sri Lanka Masters came out with intent. Sangakkara led the charge in spectacular fashion, producing a breathtaking knock of 106* from just 47 balls. His innings, laced with 19 boundaries and a towering six, left the Raipur crowd in awe as he treated them to a masterclass in strokeplay.
At the other end, Romesh Kaluwitharana provided steady support, allowing Sangakkara to take center stage. The duo raced to 76 without loss in the powerplay, with Sangakkara’s sublime timing and placement evoking memories of his prime. Every shot he played was a reminder of his class, as he effortlessly pierced the gaps and kept the English attack under constant pressure.
By the ninth over, Sri Lanka Masters had galloped to 108 without loss, putting the result beyond doubt. Dimitri Mascarenhas briefly halted the onslaught by removing Kaluwitharana for 16, but there was no stopping Sangakkara. Joined by Asela Gunaratne (22*), the pair calmly finished the chase in just 12.5 overs. Fittingly, Sangakkara brought up his century with a single before sealing the win in style, launching a six over long-on.
Earlier, England Masters had made a promising start after being put in to bat. Opener Phil Mustard struck a brisk 50 off 35 balls, sharing a 37-run stand with skipper Eoin Morgan (10) and adding another 50 runs alongside Tim Ambrose (17). However, once Mustard fell, the momentum shifted. The Sri Lankan bowlers tightened their grip, taking timely wickets and preventing any significant acceleration from the middle order.
Tim Bresnan (18*), along with Chris Tremlett (14*), added an unbeaten 30-run stand towards the end to take England to 146 for 5. But the total never looked enough against a dominant Sri Lankan side.
Sri Lanka’s disciplined bowling attack, spearheaded by Isuru Udana, Suranga Lakmal, and Asela Gunaratne, kept the English batters in check with clever variations and tight fielding, ensuring there was no late flourish.
Brief Scores:
England Masters: 146/5 in 20 overs (Phil Mustard 50, Tim Bresnan 18*; Isuru Udana 1/21, Asela Gunaratne 1/21)
Sri Lanka Masters: 150/1 in 12.5 overs (Kumar Sangakkara 106*, Asela Gunaratne 22*, Romesh Kaluwitharana 16)
Result: Sri Lanka Masters won by 9 wickets.