BIRMINGHAM (Kashmir English): The Pakistan Champions kicked off their World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 campaign with a thrilling five-run win over England Champions at Edgbaston Stadium.
Batting first, the Pakistan Champions posted a competitive total of 160 for 9 in their 20 overs. Former skipper Mohammad Hafeez led the charge with a fluent 54 off 34 balls, hitting timely boundaries to keep the scoreboard moving. All-rounder Aamer Yamin played a vital role in the closing overs, scoring a quick 27* off just 13 balls to boost the total.
England Champions started strong in pursuit of the target as they scored 32-0 in the first five overs. However, Pakistan Champions fought back with key wicket of experienced Alastair Cook.
Following the wicket, Phil Mustard forged a brief stand with James Vince, bringing the score to 55 until the ninth over.
Aamer Yamin provided Pakistan Champions with a much-needed breakthrough, clearing up James Vince (7), reducing the home side to 55-2.
With two wickets down in the first half of the innings, the experience of Ian Bell and Phil Mustard helped lift England Champions out of trouble as the duo scored quickly, bringing the score to 94-2 in the 14th over.
Phil Mustard reached his half century in the process while Bell kept rotating the strike, ensuring that the required runs did not go up.
The stand was eventually broken in the 16th over with Sohail Tanvir removing trapped Mustard in front for a well-made 58 with England Champions requiring 52 runs from 24 balls.
However, Ian Bell stood in Pakistan Champions’ way, pairing up with Eoin Morgan to bring down the equation to 30 required from two overs.
With 16 required in the final over, Sohail Khan bowled brilliantly and gave up only 10 runs despite two set and experienced batters at the crease.
Mohammad Hafeez rolls back the years to win the game for Pakistan Champions
Earlier, Mohammad Hafeez’s gusty half century and Aamer Yamin’s cameo took Pakistan Champions to 160-9.
Put into bat first, Pakistan Champions posted 160-9 in their allocated 20 overs, thanks to Mohammad Hafeez’s anchoring 54 off 34 balls.
The right-handed batter rolled back the clock with his knock, showcasing elegant shots all around the ground.
In the bowling department, Aamer Yamin and Sohail Tanvir claimed crucial breakthroughs, while Sohail Khan’s tight death-over bowling proved to be the difference. For England, Liam Plunkett and Chris Tremlett shared four wickets, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Pakistan Champions.
The match was a high-energy contest and set the tone for an exciting WCL 2025 tournament. The Pakistan Champions will now look to carry this momentum into their upcoming fixtures.
