West Indies Masters lose first match

West Indies Masters lost their first match of the International Masters League (IML), losing by 21 runs to Sri Lanka Masters at the BCA Stadium.

Playing without Chris Gayle and captain Brian Lara, the West Indies Masters only managed 152/5 from their 20 overs in response to the Sri Lanka Masters’ total of 173/9.

After being sent into bat, Ascla Gunaratne smacked an impressive 64 off 45 balls, and skipper Kumar Sangakarra supported with 47 off 42 deliveries to rescue their side from trouble and help carry them to 173 from their 20 overs.

Sri Lanka struggled from the beginning until Sangakkara joined Lahiru Thirimanne to revive the innings with a 45-run partnership. Then, with Gunaratne, Sangakkara added another half-century for the third wicket.

Ashley Nurse, with 3 for 23, and Tino Best, with 3 for 32, were the best of the West Indies bowlers.

In reply, the West Indies Masters got off to a steady start, with Dwayne Smith’s 49 carrying his side to 65/1 midway through the innings despite losing Chadwick Walton early for a duck.

But left-arm spinner Chaturanga de Silva halted their attack by ending Smith’s 43-ball knock before effecting a brilliant run out of Narsingh Deonarine to reduce the Windies from a comfortable 71/1 to 74/3.

Lendl Simmons, on 37 not out, and Jonathan Carter, with 17, put up a quick 30-run stand to restore their run-chase briefly before Jeevan Mendis had Carter trapped.

Needing 53 off the final 24 deliveries, despite Denesh Ramdin’s unbeaten 15 off 11 balls, the West Indies Masters were restricted at 152-5, falling 21 runs short of their target.

Isuru Udana with 2-15 was the pick of the Sri Lanka bowlers, while Chaturanga de Silva with 1-23 and Jeevan Mendis with 1-6 off one over also chipped in.