Gunaratne, Jayasinghe score fifties on a winning cause

The echoes of a golden era came alive at the DY Patil Stadium as Hashim Amla’s graceful half-century was overshadowed by a couple of audacious fifties from Asela Gunaratne and Chinthaka Jayasinghe that pivoted Sri Lanka Masters register a seven-wicket victory against South Africa Masters in the inaugural International Masters League T20  2025.

In an electrifying league encounter, chasing a competitive target of 181, skipper Kumar Sangakkara (16) and Upul Tharanga (29) set the tone for Sri Lanka Masters with a brisk 50-run opening partnership in five overs before off spinner Thandi Tshabalala ensured South Africa Masters fight back by dismissing both in a span of 12 deliveries on either side of the powerplay. The run-out of Lahiru Thirimanne further jolted the Sri Lankans.

Reduced to 69/3 in the ninth over, the Sri Lanka Masters desperately needed some solidity, which was provided by the right handed batting pair of Gunaratne (59 not out) and Jayasinghe (51 not out) with an undefeated 114-run stand that put the Islanders on course of a victory. The duo took full advantage of the dew with both batters exploding after seeing through the initial phase, even as the Proteas bowlers found it challenging to control the flow of runs.

The batting all-rounder Gunaratne raced to a 30-ball fifty while Jayasinghe motored along with a 23-ball half century to propel the side over the line in mere 17.2 overs, for their maiden win in the tourney.

As may be recalled India Masters had piped Sri Lanka Master by four runs in a high-scoring thriller in the inaugural match of the IML T20 2025 tourney. Sri Lanka which needed nine runs off the final six deliveries, were undone by Abhimanyu Mithun heroics who picked two wickets while conceding only five to script India’s victory, after rollicking half centuries from Stuart Binny and Yusuf Pathan, and cameos from Gurkeerat Singh Mann and Yuvraj Singh propelled the hosts to a massive total of 222/4 in 20 overs

Earlier, former South African skipper and top order batter Amla rolled back the years with a sublime half-century, his elegant strokes painting a picture of those glory days, as he came up with the perfect mix of aggression and grace to notch up a 53-ball 76 to lay the foundation after Sri Lanka Masters skipper won the toss and opted to field.

Opening alongside Morne van Wyk, Amla set the tone with a steady 41-run stand, before joining forces with his skipper Jacques Kallis to mount further misery on the Sri Lankan bowlers. Together, they rekindled memories of their prime, stroking the ball with effortless elegance and in the process pushing South Africa Masters past the three-figure mark with a 65-run stand for the third wicket.

Left-arm spinner Chaturanga de Silva brought an end to the flourishing partnership with the wicket of the South Africa Masters captain Kallis in the 16th over, after the iconic all-rounder had scored a 20-ball 24. Left arm pacer Isuru Udana who had opened the attack for his team and had accounted for Alviro Petersen (6) ended Amla’s resistance after the right-hander struck six boundaries and four massive sixes in the very next over.

The quick dismissals of Kallis and Amla in the space of five balls left South Africa Masters in a spot of bother, with the scoreboard reading 138/4 in 16.2 overs. A quick-fire 13-ball 28, laced with three boundaries and a six from Dane Vilas, and his 30-run partnership with Jacques Rudolph (9) helped them regain the momentum.

Brief Scores (League Phase):

South Africa Masters - 180/6 in 20 overs (Hashim Amla 76, Dane Vilas 28 not out, Jacques Kallis 24; Chaturanga de Silva 2/28, Isuru Udana 2/44) lost to Sri Lanka Masters 183/3 in 17.2 overs (Asela Gunaratne 59 not out, Chinthaka Jayasinghe 51 not out, Upul Tharanga 29; Thandi Tshabalala 2/32) by 7 wickets and 14 balls to spare. Player of the Match: Asela Gunaratne (Sri Lanka Master

Photo Cover: South Africa Masters opener Hashim Amla acknowledges the crowd after scoring his maiden fifty against Sri Lanka Masters in IML T20 2025

Photo Above: Sri Lanka Masters top order batter Asela Gunaratne and Chinthaka Jayasinghe greet each other after winning their maiden match in the International Masters League 2025