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WATCH: Pakistan Champions squad arrives in England for WCL 2025

BIRMINGHAM: The Pakistan Champions Squad touched down here on Thursday to feature in the much-anticipated second edition of the World Championship of the Legends (WCL) 2025.

The runners-up of the last edition will begin their campaign tomorrow against the England Champions at the iconic Edgbaston Stadium in the season opener.

The team’s arrival at Birmingham Airport was captured in a video posted on the franchise’s social media handles, featuring Champions captain Mohammad Hafeez, all-rounder Shoaib Malik, pacer Rumman Raees, and top-order batter Sharjeel Khan.

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Former spinner Saeed Ajmal, head coach Arshad Khan, and Pakistan Champions franchise owners Kamil Khan were with the squad participating in the six-team tournament.

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

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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 semifinals.

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.

During the inaugural season, Younis Khan-led Pakistan were among the standout teams, producing dominant performances throughout the group stage.

Despite a spirited effort, Pakistan Champions fell just short in the final against arch-rivals India. After setting a target of 157, they couldn’t prevent India from chasing it down with five wickets and five balls to spare.

Pakistan Champions squad for WCL 2025

Mohammad Hafeez (c), Shoaib Malik, Sohaib Maqsood, Umar Amin, Sharjeel Khan, Sarfaraz Ahmed (WK), Shahid Afridi, Asif Ali, Aamer Yamin, Wahab Riaz, Rumman Raees, Sohail Tanvir, Sohail Khan.

READ: Top-order batter included in Pakistan Champions’ WCL 2025 squad

India Champions’ squad revealed for WCL 2025

India Champions have named their squad for the upcoming edition of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) season 2, scheduled to take place from July 18 to August 2, 2025, in England.

Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh will lead the 16-member defending champions squad, featuring star players such as Shikhar Dhawan, Irfan Pathan, Suresh Raina, and Harbhajan Singh.

The pace attack will be spearheaded by Varun Aaron, Siddharth Kaul, and Vinay Kumar.

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India Champions, the winners of the inaugural edition,will begin their campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan on July 20. They will then face the champions of England on July 27, followed by a match against the champions of the West Indies in their final league-stage game on July 29.

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For the unversed, 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 semi-finals.

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

India Champions squad for WCL 2025:

Yuvraj Singh (c), Shikhar Dhawan, Robin Uthappa, Ambati Rayudu, Suresh Raina, Irfan Pathan, Yusuf Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Piyush Chawla, Stuart Binny, Gurkeerat Maan, Vinay Kumar, Siddarth Kaul, Varun Aaron, Abhimanyu Mithun, and Pawan Negi.

READ: Pakistan to lock horns with India on THIS date in Asia Cup 2025: reports

Australia Champions name star-studded squad for WCL 2025

Australia Champions have announced a star-studded squad for the second edition of the World Championship of Legends (WCL), set to be played from July 18 to August 2, 2025.

Pace legend Brett Lee headlines is part of the squad, alongside power-hitter Chris Lynn and classy left-hander Shaun Marsh.

This year’s Australia Champions outfit also features performers like Ben Cutting, Moises Henriques, Peter Siddle, Nathan Coulter-Nile, and D’Arcy Short, giving them one of the most well-rounded and dangerous line-ups heading into the tournament.

For Lee, the emotions run deep. The 47-year-old spoke about the thrill of pulling on the Aussie colors again, this time in a tournament that combines the fire of competition with the camaraderie of old mates.

“Being part of WCL is an incredible opportunity to relive the adrenaline of top-level cricket,” said Lee.

“Representing Australia again, alongside some of my best mates, is something truly close to my heart. We’re coming with intent—to entertain and to dominate.”

Team owner Puneet Singh also struck a bold note ahead of the tournament, calling the Australia squad more than just a team.

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“With Brett, Lynny, and Cutting leading the charge, we’re bringing back the fierce Australian spirit to WCL. Expect fireworks, passion, and pure cricketing brilliance,” Singh said.

Harshit Tomar, Founder and CEO of the World Championship of Legends, welcomed the Aussies’ announcement with high praise.

“Australia has always been a force in world cricket, and the WCL is proud to welcome back icons like Brett Lee and Chris Lynn,” Tomar said.

“With a squad stacked with power hitters and fiery pacers, the Australia Champions are set to be one of the most formidable sides this season.”

The second season of the WCL will see six legendary sides in action: Australia, Pakistan, India, England, South Africa, and the West Indies.

The tournament kicks off on July 18 at Edgbaston, with Pakistan Champions facing England Champions in the opener.

Australia Champions Squad for WCL 2025

Brett Lee, Shaun Marsh, Chris Lynn, Ben Dunk, Callum Ferguson, Ben Cutting, Peter Siddle, Moises Henriques, Dan Christian, Rob Quiney, Nathan Coulter-Nile, D’Arcy Short, Stephen O’Keefe.

READ: Faf du Plessis overtakes Babar Azam’s record in T20 cricket

Pakistan set to face India on THIS date in WCL 2025

Pakistan Champions is set to lock horns against India on July 20 at Edgbaston in the second season of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) as the complete schedule of the tournament featuring six teams has been announced.

The tournament is scheduled to take place in England from July 18 across five venues, with the final of this marquee event set for August 2.

The tournament will feature legendary cricketers from India, Pakistan, the West Indies, Australia, South Africa, and England.

The opening match of the tournament will be played between last year’s runners-up, Pakistan, and England on July 20 at Edgbaston, while the high-stakes encounter between defending champions India and Pakistan will take place at the same venue.

For the unversed, the World Championship of Legends (WCL) is an exhilarating T20 tournament that showcases an impressive lineup of retired and non-contracted cricket players, representing their national teams.

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

World Championship of Legends (WCL) T20 League Schedule

England Champions vs Pakistan Champions – Birmingham – July 18, 2025

West Indies Champions vs South Africa Champions – Birmingham – July 19, 2025

England Champions vs Australia Champions – Birmingham – July 19, 2025

India Champions vs Pakistan Champions – Birmingham – July 20, 2025

India Champions vs South Africa Champions – Northampton – July 22, 2025

England Champions vs West Indies Champions – Northampton – July 22, 2025

Australia Champions vs West Indies Champions – Northampton – July 23, 2025

England Champions vs South Africa Champions – Leicestershire – July 24, 2025

Pakistan Champions vs South Africa Champions – Leicestershire – July 25, 2025

India Champions vs Australia Champions – Leeds – July 26, 2025

Pakistan Champions vs West Indies Champions – Leeds – July 26, 2025

South Africa Champions vs Australia Champions – Leeds – July 27, 2025

India Champions vs England Champions – Leeds – July 27, 2025

Australia Champions vs Pakistan Champions – Leicestershire – July 29, 2025

India Champions vs West Indies Champions – Leicestershire – July 29, 2025

WCL 2025 Knockout Stage

SF1 vs SF4 – Birmingham – July 31, 2025

SF2 vs SF3 – Birmingham – July 31, 2025

WCL 2025 Final

Finalist 1 vs Finalist 2 – Birmingham – August 2, 2025

READ: AB de Villiers set to return as South Africa squad unveiled for WCL 2025

Chris Gayle named in star-studded West Indies squad for WCL 2025

The West Indies Champions have named iconic all-rounder Chris Gayle in their squad for the World Championship of Legends (WCL) season 2, set to be held in England from July 18 to August 2.

Gayle is joined by white-ball stalwarts Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo, and the ever-reliable Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who brings calm to an otherwise explosive unit.

There’s no shortage of firepower in the batting department with Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Smith, and William Perkins adding muscle at the top and middle.

In terms of bowling, the West Indies have opted for a combination of experience and speed.

The pace attack will consist of Fidel Edwards, Shannon Gabriel, and Sheldon Cottrell, forming a formidable trio.

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Additionally, the spin department includes several proven match-winners: Sulieman Benn, Ashley Nurse, Dave Mohammed, and Nikita Miller.

The 2025 WCL 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 semi-finals.

West Indies Champions squad for WCL 2025

Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo, Dwayne Smith, Lendl Simmons, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Kieron Pollard, William Perkins, Sheldon Cottrell, Fidel Edwards, Shannon Gabriel, Dave Mohammad, Nikita Miller, Chadwick Walton, Ashley Nurse, Sulieman Benn.

READ: Full schedule unveiled for ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026

Sarfaraz Ahmed to represent Pakistan Champions in WCL Season 2

Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed is set to join the Pakistan Champions team for the upcoming second edition of the World Championship of Legends (WCL), which is scheduled to commence on 18 July.

The wicket-keeper batter’s participation in the tournament was confirmed via the official social media handle of the Pakistan Champions team.

The team’s social media account posted a video confirming Sarfaraz’s signing, captioning it: “CAPTAIN. LEADER. LEGEND! Sarfaraz Ahmed is bringing his winning mentality to Pakistan Champions for WCL Season 2.”

Pakistan’s Champions Trophy 2017-winning captain will bring a wealth of experience in WCL Season 2, not only as a player but also as a leader.

Under Sarfaraz’s captaincy, Pakistan won 11 consecutive T20I series defeating teams like West Indies, Australia, New Zealand, England, and Zimbabwe.

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The tournament will start with a clash between the England Champions and Pakistan Champions at Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham. The much-awaited match between arch-rivals India and Pakistan will be played on July 31.

Moreover, the former South Africa captain and star batter AB de Villiers will be participating in the upcoming edition of the above-mentioned tournament.

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

READ: AB de Villiers confirms comeback, set to play for South Africa in THIS tournament

Pakistan elect to bat against India in World Championship of Legends Final

BIRMINGHAM: Pakistan Champions have won the toss and elected to bat first against India Champions in the blockbuster World Championship of Legends Final here at Edgbaston on Saturday.

PLAYING XIs

Pakistan Champions: Younis Khan (c), Kamran Akmal, Sharjeel Khan, Sohaib Maqsood, Shoaib Malik, Misbah-ul-Haq, Shahid Afridi, Aamer Yamin, Sohail Tanvir, Sohail Khan and Wahab Riaz.

India Champions: Yuvraj Singh (c), Robin Uthappa, Ambati Rayudu, Suresh Raina, Yusuf Pathan, Irfan Pathan, Pawan Negi, Harbhajan Singh, Vinay Kumar, Anureet Singh, Rahul Shukla.

Pakistan Champions beat West Indies Champions by 20 runs in the first semi-final to make their way to the World Championship of Legends Final before India Champions joined their arch-rivals with an 86-run thrashing of Australia Champions.

The two arch-rivals faced each other earlier in the tournament with Pakistan Champions recording a thumping 68-run victory.

Batting first, Pakistan Champions registered a mammoth total of 243/4, courtesy of quickfire half-centuries by Sharjeel Khan, Kamran Akmal and Sohaib Maqsood.

Akmal and Sharjeel hit the India Champions all around the ground and recorded a belligerent partnership.

The duo had taken Pakistan Champions to 132 for no loss at the halfway mark as 250 looked like an achievable total.

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Pacer Anureet Singh then drew a much-needed success for India Champions when he finally got rid of threatening Sharjeel.

The left-handed opener smashed seven fours and five sixes on his way to a 30-ball 72.

Walking out to bat at No.3, Sohaib Maqsood made sure the Pakistan Champions did not lose momentum and added further to the misery of the India Champions.

He was involved in an important second-wicket partnership with Kamran Akmal, who fell victim to Pawan Negi in the 14th over.

Kamran remained the top-scorer for the Pakistan Champions with 77 off 40 deliveries, laced up with nine fours and four sixes.

Maqsood then joined forces with active senior all-rounder Shoaib Malik and formed yet another crucial partnership for Pakistan Champions.

The duo of Maqsood and Malik added 41 runs for the third wicket before RP Singh dismissed him in the 18th over.

Maqsood scored a brisk 51 off 26 deliveries, peppered with two fours and five sixes.

Chasing a daunting total of 244, India Champions only managed 175/9 in the allotted overs despite Suresh Raina’s half-century.

READ: Haseebullah praises Sarfaraz Ahmed for guidance in red-ball camp

Sohail Tanvir determined to uplift fans with World Championship of Legends glory

Pakistan Champions all-rounder Sohail Tanvir on Saturday, shared that the team is determined to uplift the fans with the World Championship of Legends final victory over arch-rivals India, scheduled today at the Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham.

Tanvir, in an interview with a local news outlet, shared that all the players in the team are eager to give Pakistan fans something to cheer about after the national men’s team’s disappointing run in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

“We got a great opportunity to combine with all the players we shared dressing room with for years and when you play cricket professionally, then you try to be competitive,” Tanvir said.

“There was a great disappointment for people due to Pakistan’s performance in T20 World Cup 2024, so we talked that the Legends league may not have the same level but people will be happy. We saw the response and got the motivation that people are following this league,” he added.

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Sohail Tanvir admitted that the World Championship of Legends is not on the same level as the World Cup but stressed that giving their cricket-loving nation happiness is the team’s source of motivation.

“When we came here, Younis [Khan] bhai, Shahid [Afridi] bhai and all the other players, we talked that people in Pakistan are crazy for cricket, so our goal was to bring happiness to those who were watching us play, I mean it couldn’t be the same as World Cup but it would be something, that was and is our motivation,” Tanvir said.

“Now we have one step left. India vs Pakistan final will always be huge no matter where it is played and which league, people will watch. We won the pool match against them but the final is final. I still haven’t forgotten the final against India in 2007. So, let’s see what happens tomorrow, we will do our best to be on the victorious side,” he concluded.

READ: PCB denies NOC to Naseem Shah for The Hundred

India crush Australia to set up World Championship of Legends Final with Pakistan

NORTHAMPTON: A combined batting and bowling effort led India Champions to crush Australia Champions by 86 runs and set up the World Championship of Legends final with Pakistan Champions.

Chasing a mammoth target of 255, Australia Champions were in all sorts of trouble as they lost Shaun Marsh in the second over of their inning at County Ground, Northampton.

Ben Dunk then joined Aaron Finch in the middle, however, they could not keep up with the required run rate as Dunk was dismissed after scoring just 10 off seven deliveries.

Finch also failed to contribute to the chase and was cleaned bowled by Pawan Negi on 16 off 17 deliveries.

Callum Ferguson added 23 off 19 balls while Nathan Coulter-Nile scored 30 off 13 deliveries.

Tim Paine remained unbeaten with a 32-ball 40.

Australia Champions were restricted to 168/7 as India sailed through to the WCL 2024 final against Pakistan Champions.

After being put to bat first, India Champions posted a total of 254/6 in their 20 overs as four of their batters smashed fifties.

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Irfan Pathan and Yusuf Pathan launched an onslaught on the Australia Champions bowlers as the former smashed a 19-ball fifty while Yusuf hit a fiery knock of 51 on just 23 deliveries.

Opening batter Robin Uthappa set the stage with his 65 off 35 deliveries after losing his batting partner Ambati Rayudu on 32 in 3.1 overs.

Suresh Raina was quick to follow him as he was dismissed for just five runs, leading to Yuvraj Singh’s arrival at the crease.

Singh scored 59 off 28 balls before Peter Siddle disturbed his timber.

It was then Irfan Pathan and Yusuf Pathan show who both smashed fiery fifties to power India to 254 for six in their 20 overs.

For Australia Champions, Peter Siddle was the pick of the bowlers, as he bagged four scalps.

It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan Champions advanced to the final of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2024 after beating West Indies Champions by 20 runs earlier today.

READ: Salman Butt names ideal candidate for Pakistan’s all-format captaincy

Pakistan thump West Indies to reach World Championship of Legends Final

NORTHAMPTON: Skipper Younis Khan scored a gutsy half-century before Sohail Khan’s four-for led Pakistan Champions to down West Indies Champions and qualify for the World Championship of Legends final.

Chasing a daunting 199-run target, the West Indies Champions’ batting unit unfolded on 178 on the penultimate delivery of the innings and thus succumbed to a 20-run defeat.

The West Indies Champions were never in the run chase as they, after getting off to a scratchy start, lost wickets at regular intervals.

However, Rayad Emrit glimmered a ray of hope for the West Indies Champions when he hit Shoaib Malik for three consecutive sixes in the penultimate over but Sohail Khan returned to bowl the final over and denied the late comeback.

Ashley Nurse remained the top-scorer for the West Indies Champions with his 24-ball 36 in the middle, followed by Emrit (29) while the rest made modest contributions.

Sohail Khan starred with the ball for Pakistan Champions, taking four wickets for 21 while Wahab Riaz and Shoaib Malik bagged two each.

Put into bat first, Pakistan Champions accumulated 198/8 in the allotted overs against a disciplined West Indies Champions’ bowling attack, led by Fidel Edwards.

Edwards ran through Pakistan Champions’ top-order, reducing the second-placed side to 10/3 in two overs Sharjeel Khan, Sohaib Khan and Shoaib Malik perished cheaply.

With Pakistan Champions in tatter, captain Younis Khan joined Kamran Akmal in the middle and together they anchored the innings.

The duo added 79 runs for the fourth wicket before Dwayne Smith cleaned up Akmal in the 12th over to draw curtains on his fighting knock.

Akmal fell agonizingly short of a well-deserved half-century, scoring 46 off 31 deliveries, laced up with eight boundaries.

Younis then knitted a brief one-sided partnership with hard-hitting batter Shahid Afridi (1) and 11 runs to the total to take Pakistan Champions to the 100-run mark.

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Afridi was caught at point off SSulieman Benn, who struck again on the next delivery to send Misbah-ul-Haq packing for a golden duck as Pakistan Champions slipped to 100/6 in 12.4 overs.

Younis was then involved in yet another crucial partnership for Pakistan Champions when he raised 34 runs for the seventh wicket with Aamer Yamin before finally perishing in the 16th over.

He remained the top-scorer for Pakistan Champions with a 45-ball 65, featuring six fours and a six.

Yamin then joined forces with Sohail Tanvir and the pair did well to bolster the total as they registered a quickfire 61-run partnership which lasted with the latter’s dismissal on the penultimate delivery.

Tanvir made an 18-ball 33 while Yamin scored an unbeaten 40 off 18 balls, peppered with two fours and three sixes.

It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan will face either India Champions or leaders Australia Champions in the final of the World Championship of Legends on Saturday in Birmingham.

READ: PCB confirms new selection committee