Stuart Binny and Irfan Pathan Star in Thrilling Victory in Raipur
In a nail-biting encounter at Raipur on Saturday night, India Masters clinched a dramatic seven-run victory over West Indies Masters, securing their place in the semifinals of the International Masters League (IML) 2025. The thrilling high-scoring clash featured standout performances from Stuart Binny with the ball and Irfan Pathan's calm execution in the final over, ensuring India's progress in the tournament.Powerful Batting Sets India's Dominant Total
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, India Masters got off to an explosive start, thanks to brilliant half-centuries from Ambati Rayudu and Saurabh Tiwary. Rayudu led the charge, scoring an impressive 63, while Tiwary provided solid support with his composed innings of 60.The momentum continued with stand-in captain Yuvraj Singh, who provided late fireworks, finishing unbeaten on 49. Gurkeerat Singh Mann further strengthened the innings with a quickfire 46, propelling India Masters to a formidable total of 253 for 3.
West Indies Masters' Spirited Chase Falls Short
Facing a steep target, West Indies Masters started aggressively. Dwayne Smith (79) and William Perkins (52) delivered a blistering opening partnership of 121 runs, putting the Indian bowling attack under immense pressure. Both batsmen showcased their power-hitting abilities, momentarily tilting the match in the visitors' favor.However, the introduction of Stuart Binny dramatically altered the game's dynamics. Binny delivered a game-changing spell, picking up three crucial wickets for just 13 runs. His incisive bowling disrupted the rhythm of the West Indies chase, bringing India back into contention.
With the match on a knife-edge in the final over, veteran pacer Irfan Pathan held his nerve, restricting the visitors and sealing a memorable win. West Indies Masters ultimately fell short, finishing their innings at 246 for 6.
Brief Scores:
- India Masters: 253/3 (Ambati Rayudu 63, Saurabh Tiwary 60, Yuvraj Singh 49*; Gurkeerat Singh Mann 46)
- West Indies Masters: 246/6 (Dwayne Smith 79, William Perkins 52, Lendl Simmons 38; Stuart Binny 3/13, Pawan Negi 2/27)
India Masters won by 7 runs and advanced to the semifinals of the IML 2025 tournament.
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