BIRMINGHAM: India Champions have won the final of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2024 by defeating Pakistan Champions by five wickets at the Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham.
Team India chased the 157-run target in the last over to win the first edition of the tournament.
The Men in Blue had a blistering start to chase the target with openers Robin Uthappa and Ambati Rayadu smashing from the first over. Pakistan got back-to-back wickets by removing Uthappa (10) and Suresh Raina (4) to bring their team back in the game.
However, a 60-run partnership between Rayadu and Gurkeerat Singh managed India to recover. Rayadu struck 30-ball 50 with the help of five fours and two sixes. Gurkeerat made 34 off 33. Yusuf Pathan was the key player for India with a quickfire 16-ball 30. Meanwhile, skipper Yuvraj made off 22 balls.
Aamer Yamin was Pakistan’s best bowler with 2/29.
Earlier Pakistan Champions set a target of 157 runs for India Champions. Opting to bat first, Pakistan suffered an early setback with Sharjeel Khan dismissed for 9 runs in the second over. Sohaib Maqsood (21) tried to stabilize the innings but was bowled by Vinay Kumar, adding pressure on the Men in Green.
Kamran Akmal (9-24) failed to capitalize on his start, while Younis Khan managed only seven runs, unable to replicate his semi-final performance. Shoaib Malik held one end but struggled to accelerate, scoring 41 off 36 balls.
Misbah-ul-Haq contributed 18 off 15 balls before retiring out. Sohail Tanvir’s quickfire 19* towards the end boosted Pakistan’s total beyond 150.
Anureet Singh was India’s standout bowler, claiming three wickets. Pakistan has been dominant in WCL 2024, losing just one match, their final group game against South Africa.
India Champions Playing XI
Robin Uthappa(w), Ambati Rayudu, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh(c), Pawan Negi, Vinay Kumar, Yusuf Pathan, Irfan Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Anureet Singh, Rahul Shukla
Pakistan Champions Playing XI
Kamran Akmal(w), Sharjeel Khan, Shoaib Malik, Sohaib Maqsood, Younis Khan(c), Misbah-ul-Haq, Shahid Afridi, Aamer Yamin, Sohail Tanvir, Wahab Riaz, Sohail Khan
