India Champions clinched a thrilling victory by five wickets over Pakistan Champions at the World Championship of Legends in Edgbaston on Saturday.
Tasked with chasing 157, India sealed the win with five balls remaining, thanks to Irfan Pathan’s boundary off Sohail Tanvir. Ambati Rayudu was a standout performer, blasting 50 from 30 balls, including two sixes and five fours.
Gurkeerat Singh Mann contributed a steady 34 off 33 balls, while Yusuf Pathan’s brisk 30 off 16 balls propelled the team towards the target. India Champions’ captain, Yuvraj Singh, stayed unbeaten on 15 from 22 deliveries.
On the bowling front, Aamer Yamin led Pakistan Champions with two wickets, while Saeed Ajmal, Wahab Riaz, and Shoaib Malik each took one.
Pakistan Champions, opting to bat first, struggled to capitalize on the decision, setting a par total. They suffered an early setback when Sharjeel Khan was dismissed for 12 in the second over with the score at 14.
Sohaib Maqsood and Kamran Akmal attempted to stabilize the innings with a 29-run partnership. However, Maqsood fell for 21 off 12 balls to Vinay Kumar in the fifth over, triggering a slide that saw Pakistan reduced to 79/4 by the 11th.
Shoaib Malik, the tournament’s top scorer, then anchored the innings, scoring 41 from 36 balls before being dismissed in the final over of the innings. His effort included three sixes and helped Pakistan edge past 150, supported by Sohail Tanvir’s quick 19 not out off nine balls.
Anureet Singh excelled with the ball for India, alongside contributions from Vinay Kumar, Pawan Negi, and Irfan Pathan, each taking a wicket.
