India Clinches First WCL Title with Victory Over Pakistan
India wins the World Championship of Legends 2024, defeating Pakistan by five wickets.
New Delhi - Yuvraj Singh-led India clinched their first World Championship of Legends (WCL) title with a thrilling five-wicket victory over Pakistan in the final held in Birmingham.
Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat first, setting a competitive total of 156 runs for six wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Shoaib Malik was the standout performer for Pakistan with a rapid 41-run innings.
Chasing a target of 157 runs, India started strong with a 34-run opening partnership between Robin Uthappa and Ambati Rayudu. Although Suresh Raina was dismissed cheaply for just four runs, Gurkeerat Singh Mann steadied the innings with a solid 34 runs, including two fours and a six. Contributions from Yusuf Pathan, who scored 30 runs, bolstered the Indian innings.
Ambati Rayudu's crucial half-century guided India closer to the target. Yuvraj Singh and Irfan Pathan remained unbeaten, scoring 15 and 5 runs respectively, as India reached 159/5 in 19.1 overs to seal the victory.
For Pakistan, Aamir claimed two wickets, while Saeed Ajmal, Wahab Riaz, and Shoaib Malik each took one wicket. The victory marks a significant milestone for India in the WCL, showcasing their resilience and skill in the tournament.