WIM vs ENGM Highlights | West Indies Masters Edge Past England Masters in Thrilling Eight-Run Victory IML 2025 West Indies Masters vs England Masters

The West Indies Masters secured a thrilling eight-run victory over the England Masters in the 5th match of the International Masters League T20 2025, held at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. Despite a strong chase by the England Masters, the Caribbean side successfully defended their total of 179/6, continuing their impressive run in the tournament.

Scorecard:

West Indies Masters – 179/6 (20 overs)
Chris Gayle 39 (19), Narsingh Deonarine 35* (23), Dwayne Smith 35 (25)
Monty Panesar 3/30, Chris Schofield 2/20

England Masters – 171/8 (20 overs)
Phil Mustard 35 (19), Chris Schofield 32 (26), Chris Tremlett 26* (19)
Sulieman Benn 2/20, Jerome Taylor 2/48, Dwayne Smith 1/9

Result: West Indies Masters won by 8 runs

West Indies Masters Set a Strong Target

After being sent in to bat, West Indies Masters got off to a steady start with Dwayne Smith leading from the front with a well-crafted 35 off 25 balls. Skipper Chris Gayle followed suit, smashing 39 off 19 deliveries, maintaining a blistering strike rate of 205.26.

However, wickets began to tumble as England’s bowling attack, led by Monty Panesar and Chris Schofield, kept the run rate in check. Panesar's disciplined spell of 4-0-30-3 proved instrumental in stalling West Indies’ momentum. Despite the setbacks, Narsingh Deonarine played a match-defining knock, remaining unbeaten on 35 off 23 balls, accelerating in the final overs.

Ashley Nurse’s late cameo of 29 off 13 balls ensured that West Indies posted a competitive total of 179/6 in their 20 overs. Extras also played a part, with England conceding 14 runs through wides and byes, further boosting the West Indian total.

England Masters Fall Short in Chase

Chasing 180 for victory, England Masters got off to a shaky start, losing Ian Bell (1) early. However, Phil Mustard (35 off 19) and captain Eoin Morgan (22 off 21) attempted to build momentum. Unfortunately, regular wickets hampered their chase, with Tim Ambrose and Tim Bresnan falling cheaply.

Chris Schofield’s counter-attacking 32 off 26 balls and Chris Tremlett’s quickfire 26* off 19 balls gave England a glimmer of hope, but the required run rate kept climbing. West Indies’ bowlers held their nerve, with Jerome Taylor (2/48) and Sulieman Benn (2/20) delivering key breakthroughs.

With 10 runs needed off the final over, Dwayne Smith’s golden arm delivered, dismissing Stuart Meaker for 24 and conceding just one run in his over, sealing an eight-run victory for the Windies.

Key Takeaways from the Match

• Narsingh Deonarine’s Composed Knock: His unbeaten 35 off 23 anchored West Indies to a strong total.

• Monty Panesar’s Magic Spell: With figures of 4-0-30-3, he was England’s standout bowler.

• Chris Gayle’s Power-Hitting: His 19-ball 39 provided early momentum.

• Chris Schofield’s Late Resistance: His 32 off 26 kept England in the hunt.

• Dwayne Smith’s All-Round Brilliance: Scored 35 off 25 and defended 10 runs in the final over.

What’s Next

With this victory, the West Indies Masters continue their strong campaign in the International Masters League T20 2025. England Masters, on the other hand, will need to regroup and work on their finishing abilities as they prepare for their next fixture. The tournament is heating up, and fans can expect more nail-biting encounters as the Masters of cricket continue to showcase their brilliance on the field.