In the second semi-final of the International Masters League 2025, West Indies Masters defeated Sri Lanka Masters by 6 runs to make it to the finals.
Danesh Ramdin (50 runs) and Tino Best (4/27) gave the Windies a spectacular win due to their excellent performances.
West Indies innings: Ramdin’s explosive batting
Batting first, West Indies Masters scored a strong score of 179/5 in 20 overs. Brian Lara (41 runs) and Denesh Ramdin (50 runs, 22 balls, 3 sixes) batted explosively.
Top Scorer – West Indies Masters:
- Denesh Ramdin – 50 (22 balls, 4 fours, 3 sixes)
- Brian Lara – 41 (33 balls, 4 fours, 1 six)
- Chadwick Walton – 31 (20 balls, 3 fours, 1 six)
- William Perkins – 24 (30 balls, 4 fours)
- Lendl Simmons – 17 (12 balls, 1 four, 1 six)
Top Bowler – Sri Lanka Masters:
- Nuwan Pradeep – 4 overs, 40 runs, 1 wicket
- Jeevan Mendis – 3 overs, 26 runs, 1 wicket
- Asela Gunaratne – 2 overs, 14 runs, 1 wicket
- Isuru Udana – 4 overs, 24 runs, 0 wickets
- Suranga Lakmal – 3 overs, 34 runs, 0 wickets
Sri Lanka Masters innings: Tino Best wreaks havoc
Chasing the target, the team of Sri Lanka Masters could only score 173/9 runs in 20 overs. Asela Gunaratne (66 runs, 42 balls) gave a tough fight, but lethal bowling by Tino Best (4/27) and Dwayne Smith (2/37) stopped Sri Lanka.
Top Scorers – Sri Lanka Masters:
- Asela Gunaratne – 66 (42 balls, 7 fours, 1 six)
- Upul Tharanga – 30 (22 balls, 5 fours)
- Isuru Udana – 21 (10 balls, 1 four, 2 sixes)
- Kumar Sangakkara – 17 (15 balls, 2 fours)
- Seekuge Prasanna – 9 (10 balls, 1 four)
Top Bowlers – West Indies Masters:
- Tino Best – 4 overs, 27 runs, 4 wickets
- Dwayne Smith – 4 overs, 37 runs, 2 wickets
- Ashley Nurse – 4 overs, 25 runs, 1 wicket
- Jerome Taylor – 3 overs, 26 runs, 1 wicket
- Jerome Taylor – 3 overs, 26 runs, 1 wicket
- Lendl Simmons – 2 overs, 26 runs, 1 wicket
Decisive moment of the match
Danesh Ramdin’s explosive batting and Tino Best’s lethal bowling shattered Sri Lanka Masters’ dream of reaching the final.
Sri Lanka’s batsmen struggled, but West Indies bowlers performed brilliantly in the last overs and took the team to the final.
