Sri Lanka Masters using a quickfire 51-ball century from Upul Tharanga and an equally aggressive half century from Lahiru Thirimanne defeated Australia Masters by three wickets on the BCA Stadium in Vadodara on Friday.
Chasing 218, the early lack of Kumar Sangakkara may have been a setback for Sri Lanka Masters, however Tharanga (102 off 54 balls) and Thirimanne (53 off 34 balls) had different plans. The left-handed duo stitched collectively a elegant 153-run second-wicket stand to set the tone.
Tharanga, who acquired off to a cautious begin, took a particular liking for Daniel Christian, depositing the medium pacer for a few sixes and a 4 to deliver up a 31-ball fifty.
After receiving a reprieve on 83, Tharanga launched an all-out assault, taking the Australia Masters bowlers to activity. Thirimanne, who until then, was blissful to rotate strike, additionally joined his companion and acquired to his fifty with a boundary off Nathan Coulter-Nile.
By the point, the Sri Lankan duo threatened to wrap issues up in model, Ben Laughlin acquired the Australia Masters again into the sport by ending the partnership with the wicket of Thirimanne, a few balls earlier than Tharanga acquired to his hundred with a single.
Laughlin struck twice in his ultimate over with the wickets of Tharanga and Chinthaka Jayasinghe. In between, Christian accounted for Asela Gunaratne to degree issues for the Australians.
With the equation right down to 35 from the ultimate three overs, Isuru Udana (15 off 6) slammed a few sixes off Christian, earlier than the bowler had the final chuckle. Needing 16 off 12 balls, Jeevan Mendis and Seekkuge Prasanna nearly acquired the job finished earlier than Chaturanga de Silva slammed the profitable runs with a six.
Earlier, within the first innings, Sri Lanka Masters regarded to place early stress on the Australians. Watson and Shaun Marsh, began with warning, assessing the situations. However it wasn’t lengthy earlier than Watson, turned again the clock — dispatching Udana for 3 consecutive boundaries.
Shaun Marsh in motion in Worldwide Masters League T20 2025.
| Photograph Credit score:
Sportzpics
Shaun Marsh in motion in Worldwide Masters League T20 2025.
| Photograph Credit score:
Sportzpics
Simply when it appeared like Australia was able to shift gears, Dhammika Prasad struck, eradicating Watson. nevertheless, the enjoyment was short-lived for the Islanders as Marsh and wicketkeeper Ben Dunk slammed half centuries to forge collectively an 102-run partnership for the second wicket. Asela Gunaratne ended the alliance with the wicket of Dunk, who completed with a 29-ball 56.
Marsh, nevertheless, carried on, and held one finish agency, as he placed on a 54-run partnership with Daniel Christian. The left-hander was lastly eliminated by Udana on 77 off 49 balls.
In direction of the top, Nathan Reardon (11 not out off 9 balls) and Ben Reducing (19 not out off 7 balls) propelled the Australia Masters to 217/4.
Temporary Scores:
Australia Masters 217/4 (Shaun Marsh 77, Ben Dunk 56, Daniel Christian 34; Asela Gunaratne 1/37) misplaced to Sri Lanka Masters 222/7 (Upul Tharanga 102, Lahiru Thirimanne 53; Ben Laughlin 3/35) by 3 wickets.