(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Pakistan Champions Begin WCL 2025 With Thrilling Win Over England
The Pakistan Champions kicked off their World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 campaign with a closely fought five-run victory over England Champions at Edgbaston, making a strong opening statement in the tournament.
🏏 Hafeez Leads from the Front
Captain Mohammad Hafeez played a pivotal role in the win, scoring a quickfire 54 off 34 balls after early setbacks in the innings. The team faced pressure early on, with Kamran Akmal (8), Sharjeel Khan (12), and Umar Amin (6) all dismissed within the first seven overs.
Thanks to Hafeez’s counterattacking knock and important late contributions from Aamer Yamin (27 off 13)* and Sohail Tanvir (17 off 11), Pakistan Champions posted a competitive total of 160/9 in their 20 overs.
🏹 Tight Bowling Secures Victory
In response, England Champions made a strong push, led by Phil Mustard (58) and *Ian Bell (51)**, but fell just short at 155/3. The game tightened in the final overs, with disciplined spells from Shoaib Malik and Rumman Raees, the latter delivering standout figures of 1/14 in four overs.
The win gave Pakistan a promising start to their WCL 2025 campaign, with the team showing resilience in both batting and bowling.
📆 Next Up: A Clash with India
Pakistan Champions will now turn their focus to a high-profile encounter with India Champions, scheduled for tomorrow. The match carries added significance, as it offers Pakistan a chance to avenge their defeat in the final of the previous tournament.
🌟 Balanced Squad Ready to Compete
Led by Hafeez and featuring legends like Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, and Kamran Akmal, the Pakistan squad brings both experience and match-winning ability. The victory against England sets the tone for what promises to be an exciting tournament ahead.
