Kumar Sangakkara’s unbeaten 106*(47) leads Sri Lanka Masters to a 9-wicket victory over England Masters, knocking them out of the competition.
With a modest target of 147 runs on the board, Sri Lanka’s opening duo, Kumar Sangakkara and Romesh Kaluwitharana, walked to the middle. Ryan Sidebottom opened the attack for the England Masters. The chase began with a 6-run over, offering some swing for the bowlers. Sangakkara quickly shifted gears and found two quick fours in the second over.
Having settled in, Sangakkara started finding boundaries, using the powerplay to his advantage. He put on a vintage display, taking the crowd back in time with a range of clinical shots. By the end of the powerplay, Sri Lanka Masters were 76/0, having already completed half of the chase.
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With 71 more runs to get in the remaining 14 overs, Sangakkara continued his aggressive hitting, reaching his fifty in just 21 balls. As Sangakkara relentlessly found boundaries at one end, Romesh was merely a spectator, watching his captain find gaps with ease.
England Masters managed to take a consolation wicket, dismissing Romesh through Dimitri Mascarenhas. However, Gunaratne, who came in next, didn’t let up, smashing three consecutive boundaries to get off the mark.
Surprisingly, Sri Lanka Masters didn’t go for many sixes; instead, they kept their shots along the ground, showcasing an impressive display at Vadodara. The innings included only one six, courtesy of Kumar Sangakkara.
Kumar Sangakkara's Famous Century
With 11 runs required to win, Sangakkara took singles to reach his famous century in just 46 balls. This innings will be remembered as one of the best of the tournament, with Sangakkara showcasing a range of shots, including 19 fours and 1 six. It’s an innings with repeat value for the future. With 3 runs to win, Sangakkara smashed his only six of the innings to finish the chase in style, leading Sri Lanka Masters to a Playoff qualification alongside India Masters.
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England Masters, on the other hand, continue to struggle, having lost 3 consecutive matches, and became the first team to be eliminated from the IMLT20. Teams from England have been struggling to pick up a win across various tournaments and formats.
Kumar Sangakkara was named Player of the Match for his outstanding 106*(47), leading his team to a comfortable 9-wicket win over England Masters. Stay tuned for more live action from the IMLT20 as the league stage heads into its business end, with two spots left to be filled. Don’t miss out on the action!
