New Delhi: The Indian champions defeated the Pakistan champions by five wickets in the final of the World Championship of Legends 2024 held in Birmingham.
Yuvraj Singh helped India reach the target of 157 runs in 19.1 overs. Ambati Rayudu opened the scoring with consecutive fifties, followed by Yusuf Pathan, Gurkirat Singh Mann and the captain himself with key contributions.
In reality: India vs Pakistan, WCL final
Pakistan, batting first, posted a total of 156 for 6. Led by Anureet Singh’s three wickets, the Indian bowlers effectively stifled Pakistan’s run of runs, ultimately making India’s target seem achievable, but they suffered initial setbacks.
Openers Robin Uthappa and Ambati Rayudu gave India a good start with a combined run of 34, but pacer Amar Yamin dismissed Uthappa and Suresh Raina in the same over to push India to 38 for 2 and tip the tide in Pakistan’s favour.
Rayudu then partnered Gurkeerat Singh Mann to add 60 runs for the third wicket, Rayudu smashing 50 in 30 balls. His innings featured two sixes and five boundaries. However, Pakistan’s Saeed Ajmal provided the crucial breakthrough by dismissing Rayudu in the 12th over.
Shoaib Malik then got Gurkheerat out for 34 off 33, further weakening India’s chase in the next over.
When Yusuf Pathan and Yuvraj Singh teamed up, India were at 108 for 4. Pathan played an aggressive game scoring 30 off 16 balls with three towering sixes, while Yuvraj held on for a clean 15 off 22 balls. Their partnership was crucial as they scored 42 runs in just 5.4 overs.
Captain Yuvraj played an uncharacteristically slow knock while Yusuf went for the big shots, but their tenacity in the hunt for the fifth wicket ultimately proved to be the deciding factor.
Wahab Riaz dismissed Yusuf Pathan in the 19th over, leaving India needing just seven more runs off 10 balls. Yuvraj and Irfan Pathan then ensured India reached the target, with Irfan hitting a winning boundary off Sohail Tanvir off the first ball of the final over.
Yuvraj Singh helped India reach the target of 157 runs in 19.1 overs. Ambati Rayudu opened the scoring with consecutive fifties, followed by Yusuf Pathan, Gurkirat Singh Mann and the captain himself with key contributions.
In reality: India vs Pakistan, WCL final
Pakistan, batting first, posted a total of 156 for 6. Led by Anureet Singh’s three wickets, the Indian bowlers effectively stifled Pakistan’s run of runs, ultimately making India’s target seem achievable, but they suffered initial setbacks.
Openers Robin Uthappa and Ambati Rayudu gave India a good start with a combined run of 34, but pacer Amar Yamin dismissed Uthappa and Suresh Raina in the same over to push India to 38 for 2 and tip the tide in Pakistan’s favour.
Rayudu then partnered Gurkeerat Singh Mann to add 60 runs for the third wicket, Rayudu smashing 50 in 30 balls. His innings featured two sixes and five boundaries. However, Pakistan’s Saeed Ajmal provided the crucial breakthrough by dismissing Rayudu in the 12th over.
Shoaib Malik then got Gurkheerat out for 34 off 33, further weakening India’s chase in the next over.
When Yusuf Pathan and Yuvraj Singh teamed up, India were at 108 for 4. Pathan played an aggressive game scoring 30 off 16 balls with three towering sixes, while Yuvraj held on for a clean 15 off 22 balls. Their partnership was crucial as they scored 42 runs in just 5.4 overs.
Captain Yuvraj played an uncharacteristically slow knock while Yusuf went for the big shots, but their tenacity in the hunt for the fifth wicket ultimately proved to be the deciding factor.
Wahab Riaz dismissed Yusuf Pathan in the 19th over, leaving India needing just seven more runs off 10 balls. Yuvraj and Irfan Pathan then ensured India reached the target, with Irfan hitting a winning boundary off Sohail Tanvir off the first ball of the final over.
Yusuf Pathan (Video Capture)
Earlier, Pakistan’s innings was largely carried by Shoaib Malik who top-scored with 41 runs off 36 balls including three sixes, while Sohail Tanvir also contributed with 19 runs off nine balls.
Anureet Singh was the standout performer for India with figures of 3 for 43, while Irfan Pathan (1 for 12), Pawan Negi (1 for 24) and Vinay Kumar (1 for 36) provided vital support by taking important wickets.
Malik and Tanvir’s efforts took Pakistan past 150 but it was not enough to defend against a disciplined Indian team. There were moments of pressure but the Indian batting line-up showed resilience and strategy to clinch the title.