West Indies’ Chris Gayle reacts after dropping his wicket throughout a match towards Afghanistan Headingley, Leeds, Britain on July 4, 2019.
Motion Pictures through Reuters / Lee Smith
West Indies Masters misplaced their first match of the Worldwide Masters League (IML), dropping by 21 runs to Sri Lanka Masters on the BCA Stadium.
Enjoying with out Chris Gayle and captain Brian Lara, the West Indies Masters solely managed 152/5 from their 20 overs in response to the Sri Lanka Masters’ complete of 173/9.
After being despatched into bat, Ascla Gunaratne smacked a formidable 64 off 45 balls, and skipper Kumar Sangakarra supported with 47 off 42 deliveries to rescue their facet from hassle and assist carry them to 173 from their 20 overs.
Sri Lanka struggled from the start till Sangakkara joined Lahiru Thirimanne to revive the innings with a 45-run partnership. Then, with Gunaratne, Sangakkara added one other half-century for the third wicket.
Ashley Nurse, with 3 for 23, and Tino Greatest, with 3 for 32, have been one of the best of the West Indies bowlers.
In reply, the West Indies Masters acquired off to a gentle begin, with Dwayne Smith’s 49 carrying his facet to 65/1 halfway by means of the innings regardless of dropping Chadwick Walton early for a duck.
However left-arm spinner Chaturanga de Silva halted their assault by ending Smith’s 43-ball knock earlier than effecting a superb run out of Narsingh Deonarine to cut back the Windies from a snug 71/1 to 74/3.
Lendl Simmons, on 37 not out, and Jonathan Carter, with 17, put up a fast 30-run stand to revive their run-chase briefly earlier than Jeevan Mendis had Carter trapped.
Needing 53 off the ultimate 24 deliveries, regardless of Denesh Ramdin’s unbeaten 15 off 11 balls, the West Indies Masters have been restricted at 152-5, falling 21 runs in need of their goal.
Isuru Udana with 2-15 was the choose of the Sri Lanka bowlers, whereas Chaturanga de Silva with 1-23 and Jeevan Mendis with 1-6 off one over additionally chipped in.
