VADODARA, India, (CMC) – West Indies Masters lost their first match of the International Masters League (IML) when they went down by 21 runs to Sri Lanka Masters here on Thursday.
Playing without Chris Gayle and captain Brian Lara at the BCA Stadium, the West Indies Masters could only muster 152 for five from their 20 overs in response to Sri Lanka Masters’ total of 173 for nine.

After being sent in to bat, Asela Gunaratne blasted 64 of 45 balls and skipper Kumar Sangakarra scored 47 off 42 balls to rescue their side from early trouble and help propel them to 173 for nine from their 20 overs.

Sri Lanka were struggling until Sangakkara joined forces with Lahiru Thirimanne to resurrect the innings with a 45-run stand before adding another 50 runs for the third wicket with Gunaratne.

Ashley Nurse (3-23) and Tino Best (3-32) were the Windies’ best bowlers.

In reply, the West Indies Masters got a steady start despite losing Chadwick Walton for a duck, with Dwayne Smith’s 49 propelling them to 65 for one midway through the innings.
But left-arm spinner Chaturanga de Silva pegged them back by ending Smith’s 43-ball vigil before effecting a smart run-out of Narsingh Deonarine, to reduce the opposition from a comfortable 71 for one to 74 for three.

Lendl Simmons (37 not out) and Jonathan Carter (17) put up a brief 30-run stand to restore parity before Jeevan Mendis trapped Carter to dent the chase.
Needing 53 off the final 24 deliveries, the West Indies Masters were restricted by disciplined bowling by the Sri Lankans and eventually fell short of their target.