IML 2025: Chris Gayle and Dwayne Smith Power West Indies Masters to Second Win

According to an IML press release, the fifth match of the inaugural International Masters League, 2025, brought together the icons of the West Indies and England under floodlights, bringing a sense of nostalgia to the DY Patil Stadium. The West Indies Masters defeated the England Masters by eight runs, their second victory of the tournament, thanks to an all-around performance.

When Chris Gayle and Dwayne Smith rekindled the Caribbean flair and led the West Indies to a scorching 77-run opening stand in just over 7 overs after being put into bat, the stadium was taken back in time. Smith matched his left-handed partner shot for shot to bash 35 off 25, while Gayle, who replaced Brian Lara as captain of the West Indies Masters, produced a classic power-hitting masterpiece, scorching 39 off 19 deliveries. Smith was the more restrained of the two, striking four boundaries and a few sixes, but Gayle dealt primarily in boundaries, hitting the bowlers for four enormous sixes and three boundaries. 

Chris Gayle and Dwayne Smith Steal the Show:

West Indies Masters down England Masters to make it two wins in-a-row!#InternationalMastersLeague #IML2025 #ThePapareCricket

More 👉 https://t.co/ZG1U0JTRQy pic.twitter.com/A4mPAHAy3H

— ThePapare (@ThePapareSports) February 27, 2025

However, the English spinners pulled the brakes just as the Windies appeared to be unstoppable, quickly taking the top five wickets. The attack was initiated by leg-spinner Chris Schofield, who ended the thriving opening combination in three deliveries to bring the game back to parity. 

The West Indian team, which had previously sped to 90 for 2 in 10 overs, suddenly stumbled to 113 for 5 in 15 overs after being hit three times in quick succession by left-arm spinner Monty Panesar. However, the momentum was altered by the appearance of Deonarine and Ashley Nurse, who returned the attack to the opposition with a variety of appealing strokes.

More significantly, they gave the innings its final flourish with a 44-run partnership for the sixth wicket. The innings reached 179/6 thanks to Deonarine's undefeated 23-ball 35, which was smashed by three clear sixes, and Nurse's 13-ball 29, which ended with two boundaries and as many sixes.

England Masters needed 18 from the last over in a desperate attempt to win the competition for the first time. Stuart Meaker's 10-ball 24 and Tremlett's 19-ball 26 nearly got them over the finish line, but Dwayne Smith used his expertise to flip the tide in the West Indies' favour.

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