In an exciting turn of events, the Pakistan and India champions will face off in the final of the World Championship of Legends tonight in Birmingham at 9:30 pm.
Both teams showcased remarkable performances in their semi-final matches to earn their spots in the final.
Pakistan’s Path to the Final
In the first semi-final, held at Northampton, Pakistan defeated the West Indies champions by 20 runs. Batting first, Pakistan posted a total of 198 runs for 8 wickets in 20 overs. Captain Younis Khan led the charge with a solid 65 runs, supported by Kamran Akmal’s 46, Aamir Yameen’s 40, and Sohail Tanveer’s 33.
West Indies’ Federal Edwards took 3 wickets, while Solomon Bean claimed 2 wickets. Jerome Taylor and Dwayne Smith picked up one wicket each. In response, West Indies managed 178 runs before being bowled out. Ashley Nurse top-scored with 36 runs, followed by Rayad Emirat with 29 runs. Pakistan’s Sohail Khan was the standout bowler, taking 4 wickets, with Wahab Riaz and Shoaib Malik each taking 2 wickets.
India’s Dominant Performance
In the second semi-final, also at Northampton, the Indian champions crushed the Australian champions by 86 runs. India batted first and set a daunting target of 254 runs for 6 wickets in their 20 overs, securing their place in the final with a commanding performance.
Teams and Tournament Overview
The World Championship of Legends features six teams: Pakistan, England, India, South Africa, West Indies, and Australia champions. This tournament brings together former cricketing stars, providing fans with a nostalgic glimpse of their favorite players in action once again.
Pakistan’s team, led by Younis Khan, includes notable players such as Kamran Akmal, Sharjeel Khan, Soheib Maqsood, Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi, Aamir Yameen, Wahab Riaz, Sohail Tanveer, Misbah-ul-Haq, Sohail Khan, Mohammad Hafeez, Abdul Razzaq, and Saeed Ajmal.
Broadcasting and Significance
The World Championship of Legends has garnered significant attention and is broadcast by major networks worldwide, including Star Sports, TNT Sports, SuperSport, Willow TV, and Fox Sports. In India and Pakistan, several prominent sports channels have secured broadcasting rights.
This tournament is not the first to feature retired cricket legends. Similar events, like the Legends League Cricket, have been held in Oman, Qatar, and India. However, the World Championship of Legends stands out due to its greater popularity and participation of iconic players from the past.
Origin and Ownership
The World Championship of Legends is organized by Zabava Entertainment, an Indian and Dubai-based company known for producing Bollywood films and music. The idea for the tournament came from Harshit Tomar, the director of Zabava Entertainment, with support from the England and Wales Cricket Board.
The Pakistan Champions franchise is owned by Kamil Khan, a Pakistani businessman based in Australia. Involved in real estate and event organizing, Kamil Khan’s passion for cricket drove him to acquire the team, fulfilling a long-cherished dream.
With the final match set to take place tonight, cricket fans worldwide eagerly await the clash between the Pakistan and India champions. The World Championship of Legends has successfully revived the excitement of cricket legends competing on the international stage, promising an unforgettable finale.
