England Champions Archives

WCL 2025: Ravi Bopara century powers England past India

LEEDS: Ravi Bopara’s gutsy hundred, coupled with a clinical four-wicket haul by Ajmal Shahzad, propelled England Champions to a 23-run triumph over India Champions in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 at Headingley on Sunday.

Chasing a formidable target of 224-runs, India Champions batting line faltered under pressure. Despite a few notable contributions, they could only muster 200 for 8 in their 20 overs, falling 23 runs short of the mark.

The reigning Champions were jolted with an early blow as Robin Uthappa was removed for a golden duck. Shikhar Dhawan, who gained some form in the previous match, played some good shots before getting dismissed for 17 runs from 16 balls. As a result, India Champions were 33-2 in 5.1 overs.

Despite early setbacks, Ambati Rayudu and Yuvraj Singh looked solid, forging a brief 33-run stand to steer India in the chase.

Rayadu, who had crunched three fours on his way to 28 off 21 deliveries, was caught just when India Champions were looking to accelerate to match the required run rate.

With India three down for 66 runs in eight overs, skipper Yuvraj Singh took the responsibility on his shoulders and crafted a solid 43-run partnership with Stuart Binny, bringing the score over the three-figure mark.

Binny played aggressively with a strike rate of 269, making 35 off 13 balls with the aid of three maximums and three fours before Bopara scalped him to reduce India Champions to 109-3 in 11.3 overs.

With the required down by Binny’s striking, Yuvraj continued to play the second fiddle with Yousuf Pathan now taking the core aggressor role. The duo partnered for a 47-run stand which took India’s score over 150.

The partnership eventually culminated in Yuvraj’s wicket. He made 38 off 27 balls, striking a maximum and four boundaries.

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At this point, the Indian Champions required 67 from 26 balls, which was looking an uphill task despite having set Yousuf at the crease.

England Champions displayed clinical bowling in the death overs and took key wickets, which halted India’s progress and eventually resulted in the home side’s first win in the WCL 2025.

Yousuf Pathan made 52 from 29, crisping half a dozen boundaries and two sixes.

For England Champions, Ajmal Shahzad was the standout bowler, taking four wickets in his quota of four overs.

Earlier, after being put into bat, England Champions posted a 223-run total for the loss of only three wickets in their 20 overs.

Ravi Bopara was the star of the match, smashing a fiery ton. He made 110 off 55 deliveries, which included eight towering sixes and an equal number of fours.

England Champions lost an early wicket for three runs as Phil Mustard was cleaned up for a single run.

However, after this wicket, Ian Bell and Ravi Bopara used all of their experience and crafted a mammoth 131-run partnership, bringing the score to 134 in 13.2 overs.

Bell was finally removed for 54 off 39 deliveries while Bopara kept on going and scored a century. Following the strong foundation, Moeen Ali and Samit Patel provided England Champions with a strong finish.

Ali made 33 off 13, whereas Patel scored 20 off nine balls to propel England to a commanding total.

For the India Champions, Harbhajan Singh was the pick of the bowlers, who picked up two wickets.

READ: AB de Villiers’ hits century as South Africa thrash Australia in WCL 2025

WCL 2025: AB de Villiers’ sublime century helps South Africa thrash England

LEICESTER: AB de Villiers jaw-dropping century powered South Africa Champions to a massive win over England Champions in the eighth fixture of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 here at Grace Road on Thursday.

Chasing a modest target of 153 runs, the South Africa Champions secured victory effortlessly in just 12.2 overs.

In pursuit of the target, South Africa’s Champions De Villiers piled on misery on English bowlers.

He forged an unbeaten 153-run partnership with Hashim Amla to lead his home team in a stellar chase. The right-hander was the primary aggressor while Amla played a supportive role.

The Proteas scored 80 runs by the end of the powerplay, helped by a 21-run over from Liam Plunkett. De Villiers reached his half-century in just 19 balls, while Hashim Amla played cautiously, scoring 14 runs off 17 balls.

The 41-year-old continued to take on England bowlers to the cleaners with South Africa Champions scoring 128 at the halfway mark of the innings. He reached his century off 41 balls with a single on the second ball of the 10th over.

With victory evident, De Villiers continued to charge the bowlers, eventually resulting in an emphatic statement victory for the South African champions.

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AB de Villiers scored 116 runs off just 51 balls, hitting seven sixes and 15 fours. The right-handed batter’s explosive innings was so remarkable that in his 153-run partnership, Hashim Amla could only manage 29 runs off 25 balls.

Earlier, the England Champions set the South Africa Champions a target of 153 runs, thanks to the South Africa Champions’ clinical bowling effort.

For England Champions, Phil Mustard top-scored with 39 off 33 balls with the aid of three fours and a six, whereas skipper Eoin Morgan made 20 from 14 balls, striking two fours and a maximum.

For the South Africa Champions, Imran Tahir and Wayne Parnell took wickets each.

The ongoing WCL 2025 is contested across four English venues: Edgbaston (Birmingham), County Ground (Northampton), Grace Road (Leicester), and Headingley (Leeds).

Six teams, India, Pakistan, Australia, England, South Africa, and the West Indies, will face off in a round-robin format, with the top four teams qualifying for the WCL 2025 semi-finals.

The ongoing WCL 2025 marks the second installment of the tournament, following the inaugural tournament held in 2024, where the Indian team, led by the legendary Yuvraj Singh, emerged as champions.

Playing XIs

England: Phil Mustard (wk), Ian Bell, Eoin Morgan (c), Moeen Ali, Ravi Bopara, Tim Ambrose, Samit Patel, Liam Plunkett, Ajmal Shahzad, Stuart Meaker, Dimitri Mascarenhas

South Africa: Jacques Rudolph, Sarel Erwee, AB de Villiers (c), Jean-Paul Duminy, JJ Smuts, Morne van Wyk (wk), Wayne Parnell, Chris Morris, Hardus Viljoen, Duanne Olivier, Imran Tahir

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WCL 2025: Walton, Edwards star as West Indies defeat England

NORTHAMPTON: Chadwick Walton’s explosive 83-run followed by Fidel Edwards’ four-wicket haul sealed a 10-run victory for West Indies Champions over England Champions in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 here at the County Cricket Ground on Tuesday.

Chasing a challenging 165-run total, England Champions crumbled under pressure and were bowled out for 154 on the final ball of the game.

England Champions had a poor start in pursuit of the chase, losing two wickets on the first two balls of their innings. Sir Alastair Cook and Moeen Ali were dismissed for golden ducks.

The situation worsened further when Fidel Edwards sent Ian Bell and skipper Eoin Morgan packing for five and nine runs, respectively, as the scorecard read 19-4 in 4.4 overs.

With a top-order collapse, came Ravi Bopara, who, alongside experienced Samit Patel, rescued England Champions from a precarious position.

The duo batted cautiously, bringing the score to 59 runs at the halfway stage of the innings until Bopara’s dismissal. He was stumped after scoring 24 off 22 deliveries.

Meanwhile, Patel continued until the 15th over and reached his half-century. With England Champions on 108 in 15.3 overs, the match was evenly poised, but Shannon Gabriel removed the set batter to dent his team’s hopes.

Following his removal, there were no significant contributions from the lower order as England Champions were bundled out in the last over.

For West Indies Champions, Fidel Edwards starred with the ball, taking four wickets in three overs, while Dwayne Bravo and Shannon Gabriel shared two scalps apiece.

Earlier, Chadwick Walton’s explosive 83 and Kieron Pollard’s quick-fire 30-run cameo took West Indies Champions to a strong total.

Put into bat first, West Indies Champions posted 164-9 in their allocated 20 overs.

England Champions capitalized on the decision early, removing the top-order batters inside the first four overs. Opener Dwayne Smith was removed for a golden duck in the opening over, while Lendl Simmons could only manage to score four runs.

However, following early hiccups, veteran batter Chris Gayle and Chadwick Walton forged a 44-run partnership. Chris Gayle was removed for 21 off 19 balls with the aid of a six and two boundaries as England Champions reduced them to 61-3 in nine overs.

Incoming batter William Perkins’ (5) short stay at the crease was also ended in the 10th over, with West Indies reeling at 74-4. However, Kieron Pollard and Chadwick Walton formed a crucial 80-run stand in quick time to lift them out of trouble.

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The duo’s partnership was enough to take West Indies Champions to 154 in 16.4 overs. Pollard struck two sixes and three fours for his 30-run knock, while Walton’s 83 off 50 balls featured five towering sixes and eight fours.

Despite the duo’s formidable stand, the West Indies Champions lost their way in the last few overs, losing four wickets in quick succession as the England Champions restricted them from posting a formidable total.

For England Champions, Stuart Meaker was the standout bowler, taking four wickets in his four overs while giving away only 24 runs.

The WCL 2025 will be contested across four English venues: Edgbaston (Birmingham), County Ground (Northampton), Grace Road (Leicester), and Headingley (Leeds).

Six teams, India, Pakistan, Australia, England, South Africa, and the West Indies, will face off in a round-robin format, with the top four teams qualifying for the WCL 2025 semi-finals.

The upcoming edition marks the second installment of the WCL, following the inaugural tournament held in 2024, where the Indian team, led by the legendary Yuvraj Singh, emerged as champions.

READ: Ricky Ponting backs Shubman Gill’s aggression amid Lord’s spat

Pakistan Champions edge England Champions in WCL 2025 opener

BIRMINGHAM: Pakistan Champions beat England Champions by five runs in the opening match of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025, here on Friday at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground.

Chasing a 161-run target, England Champions fell short despite Ian Bell’s classy half-century.

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.

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.

Pakistan Champions did not have the best of a start as they lost their openers inside the powerplay. Sharjeel Khan was caught in the fourth over, scoring 12 off 15 balls with the help of a six, while Ryan Sidebottom dismissed Kamran Akmal (8) in the next over.

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England Champions further piled misery on Pakistan Champions as they removed experienced Umar Amin and Shoaib Malik in quick succession.

As a result, Pakistan Champions were reduced to 49-4 in nine overs.

Following the shambolic display from the top-order, skipper Mohammad Hafeez partnered with Asif Ali in a bid to steady the Green Shirts’ innings. Both batters batted cautiously until the 13th over, which ended with Asif Ali’s (15) dismissal.

Pakistan were reduced to 88-6 in 14 overs; however, Hafeez and Yamin forged a brief partnership, bringing the score to 121 before the former’s dismissal.

With 121-7 in 17 overs, the total of more than 150 was looking extremely difficult until Aamer Yamin’s quick-fire cameo lifted them out of the trouble.

The right-handed batter remained unbeaten with 27* off 13 balls with the aid of two sixes in the penultimate over.

For the England Champions, Liam Plunkett and Chris Tremlett picked up two wickets each.

Earlier, England Champions won the toss and opted to bowl first against Pakistan Champions.

Pakistan Champions Playing XI

Mohammad Hafeez (c), Shoaib Malik, Umar Amin, Sharjeel Khan, Kamran Akmal (WK), Asif Ali, Aamer Yamin, Wahab Riaz, Rumman Raees, Sohail Tanvir, Sohail Khan,

England Champions Playing XI

Eoin Morgan (c), Alastair Cook, Ian Bell, James Vince, Liam Plunkett, Chris Tremlett, Dimitri Mascarenhas, Tim Ambrose, Ryan Sidebottom, Stuart Meaker, Phil Mustard (WK)

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