In a pulsating finale of the World Championship of Legends 2024, India Champions emerged victorious by defeating arch-rivals Pakistan Champions by five wickets at Edgbaston on Saturday. The Yuvraj Singh-led side showcased their dominance in the competition and secured the coveted title in a match that went down to the wire.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Pakistan Champions posted a competitive total of 156 for 6 in their 20 overs. Openers Kamran Akmal (24 off 19) and Maqsood (21 off 12) provided a solid start, but regular wickets kept the scoring in check. Shoaib Malik was the standout performer, scoring a crucial 41 off 23 balls, anchoring the innings. Captain Younis Khan failed to make a mark as he was clean bowled by Irfan Pathan for 7. The middle-order collapsed, and Misbah-ul-Haq retired hurt after a brisk 18. Late contributions from Sohail Tanvir (19* off 9) ensured Pakistan reached a respectable score.
Indian Bowlers Keep Pakistan in Check
The Indian bowlers, led by Anureet Singh who clinched three wickets, were instrumental in containing Pakistan’s batting lineup. Vinay Kumar, Pawan Negi, and Irfan Pathan each took one wicket, restricting the opposition to 156 runs.
India Champions’ Run Chase
In response, India Champions started their run chase with intent. Despite losing Robin Uthappa (10) early, Ambati Rayudu’s explosive 50 off 30 balls set the foundation for the chase. Although Suresh Raina departed cheaply for 4, a strong partnership between Rayudu and Gurkeerat Singh Mann (34 off 33) kept India on track. Both Rayudu and Mann fell in quick succession, but the momentum stayed firmly in India’s favor with Yusuf Pathan’s blistering 30 off 16 balls.
The Final Push
Yusuf Pathan’s aggressive batting brought India close to the target before he was dismissed in the penultimate over. With captain Yuvraj Singh (15) and Irfan Pathan (5) at the crease, India sealed the win, finishing at 159 for 5 in 19.1 overs, much to the delight of their fans.
Pakistan’s Bowling Efforts
Pakistan’s bowlers, despite their best efforts, couldn’t halt India’s march towards the target. Aamer Yamin was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3-0-29-2, supported by Sohail Tanvir and Sohail Khan, who took one wicket each.
Brief Scores:
Pakistan Champions: 156/6 in 20 overs (Shoaib Malik 41, Kamran Akmal 24; Anureet Singh 2/43)
India Champions: 159/5 in 19.1 overs (Ambati Rayudu 50, Gurkeerat Singh Mann 34, Yusuf Pathan 30; Aamer Yamin 2/29)
Result: India won by 5 wickets.
India Champions’ thrilling victory in the World Championship of Legends 2024 final will be remembered as a testament to the enduring skills and passion of these legendary cricketers.
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