IML 2025: India and Australia will face each other again in the semi-finals, this time Sachin and Yuvraj will hit sixes

The scenario of the semi-finals of the International Masters League (IML) 2025 has been decided. On Wednesday, Australia Masters won by 3 wickets against England to finish third in the points table. India Masters will face Australia in the first semi-final on Thursday. At the same time, Sri Lanka will face West Indies in the second semi-final.

Keeping an eye on the semi-finals, Australia Masters made a strategic change in their batting order while chasing the target of 210 runs. The new opening pair of Shaun Marsh and Daniel Christian set the stage with a partnership of 52 runs. Marsh was dismissed after scoring 20 runs off 12 balls, but Christian made his intentions clear. He challenged the English bowling attack and hit seven fours and four big sixes in an aggressive innings of 61 runs off 28 balls.

Nathan Reardon’s stormy innings

After this, Nathan Reardon kept Australia Masters in the race for victory by playing an explosive innings of 83 runs. Reardon’s partnership with Christian added 52 runs for the second wicket, helping Australia cross the 100-run mark. Left-arm spinner Monty Panesar then slowed down the scoring pace for a while by taking the crucial wicket of Christian.

Reardon then joined Ben Cutting (12) and later wicketkeeper Peter Neville (28) to chase down the target. With Australia needing two runs from the final over, skipper Shane Watson kept his composure and completed the formalities with five balls to spare. Tim Bresnan took five wickets for England Masters.

England Masters’ journey ends

Earlier, with nothing to lose, England Masters decided to bat first. Explosive half-centuries from Eoin Morgan (64) and Tim Ambrose (69 not out) helped them post a challenging 209/3 against Australia Masters. Phil Mustard contributed 17 runs. Darren Maddy scored 29 runs. Tim Bresnan played a quick innings of 18 not out off 8 balls.