IML 2025: Chris Gayle's Blitz, Sulieman Benn's Spin Propel West Indies Masters to Second Victory

IML 2025: The DY Patil Stadium played host to a nostalgic spectacle as cricketing greats from the West Indies and England squared off in the fifth match of the inaugural International Masters League 2025.

The West Indies Masters, led by an all-round performance, secured an eight-run victory over England Masters, marking their second triumph in the competition.

The crowd was treated to a trip down memory lane as Chris Gayle and Dwayne Smith reignited their signature aggressive stroke play. The West Indies got off to a flying start after being inserted to bat, with the duo putting up a blistering 77-run opening stand within just over seven overs.

Gayle, captaining the side in Brian Lara's absence, delivered a vintage display of power-hitting, hammering 39 runs off just 19 balls. Smith complemented him well with a steady yet attacking 35 off 25 deliveries. While Gayle's knock featured four towering sixes and three boundaries, Smith struck four boundaries and two sixes in his composed innings.

Just as the Caribbean unit looked set for a massive total, England's spinners struck back with a flurry of wickets. Leg-spinner Chris Schofield provided the breakthrough, dismissing both openers in quick succession. Monty Panesar then took charge, claiming three wickets to stifle the West Indies' progress. At one stage, the team had stumbled from 90/2 in 10 overs to 113/5 in 15.

However, Narsingh Deonarine and Ashley Nurse counter-attacked, reviving the innings with a crucial 44-run stand for the sixth wicket. Deonarine's unbeaten 35 off 23 balls, including three towering sixes, and Nurse's rapid 29 off 13 balls, featuring two boundaries and as many sixes, propelled the West Indies to a competitive total of 179/6.

England's chase got off to a promising start with opener Phil Mustard smashing a quickfire 35 off 19 balls, featuring seven fours and a six. Skipper Eoin Morgan chipped in with a brisk 22 off 13 balls, but the West Indian bowlers maintained their grip, picking up wickets at regular intervals. England found themselves reeling at 76/5 inside the first 10 overs as Ravi Rampaul and Jerome Taylor rattled the top order.

Spinners Sulieman Benn and Ashley Nurse further tightened the screws, scalping crucial middle-order wickets. Chris Schofield and Chris Tremlett attempted a fightback, stitching together a resilient 52-run stand for the seventh wicket. Schofield contributed a valuable 32 off 26 balls, including five boundaries, before Taylor dismissed him to shift momentum once again.

Needing 18 runs from the final over, England Masters remained hopeful with Stuart Meaker's explosive 24 off 10 balls and Tremlett's 26 off 19. However, Dwayne Smith's composure in the final moments ensured the West Indies held on for an eight-run victory.

Brief Scores

West Indies Masters 179/6 (Chris Gayle 39, Dwayne Smith 35, Narsingh Deonarine 35; Monty Panesar 3/14) beat England Masters 171/8 (Phil Mustard 35, Chris Schofield 32; Sulieman Benn 2/11, Ravi Rampaul 2/38) by 8 runs.