Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal became the subject of online ridicule after missing a simple stumping opportunity during the World Championship of Legends opener on July 18, 2025, during the match between the Pakistan Champions and the England Champions at Edgbaston, Birmingham, where Pakistan secured a thrilling 5-run victory.
Akmal’s mistake, reminiscent of his playing days, quickly went viral, flooding social media with memes and jokes about his long-standing reputation for wicketkeeping errors. Despite this blunder, Pakistan’s victory showcased strong performances from Mohammad Hafeez and Aamer Yamin. The tournament, featuring cricket legends such as Yuvraj Singh and AB de Villiers, will take place from July 18 to August 2, 2025, at venues across the UK.
Kamran Akmal doing what he does best! #PakistanCricket
pic.twitter.com/S3J4JQDlhI
— Usman (@jamilmusman_) July 18, 2025The Match and Akmal’s Viral Mistake
Pakistan Champions scored 160 for 9 after batting first. Mohammad Hafeez made 54 runs, while Aamer Yamin contributed an unbeaten 27 off 13 balls. England’s Liam Plunkett and Chris Tremlett each took two wickets.
In England’s run chase, Phil Mustard scored 58 runs, and Ian Bell contributed an unbeaten 51 runs. However, the team ultimately fell short, managing a total of 155 runs. A crucial moment in the match occurred during an over by Shoaib Malik when Mustard attempted a wild swing and missed the ball. Wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal fumbled the stumping opportunity, allowing Mustard to continue his innings. This incident sparked a flurry of memes online, with fans humorously referencing Akmal’s ongoing mistakes with the phrase “Then, Now & Forever.”
The World Championship of Legends unites global cricket icons for T20 action. Participants include Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina, Brett Lee, Chris Lynn, Shaun Marsh, Eoin Morgan, Moeen Ali, Sir Alastair Cook, AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla, Chris Morris, Wayne Parnell, Chris Gayle, DJ Bravo, Kieron Pollard, and more.
Founder & CEO Harshit Tomar stated: “WCL is where nostalgia meets world-class competition. It’s an honour to bring these legends back to the field and reignite the passion of fans across generations. This season will be unforgettable.”
