Mohsin Naqvi hails Pakistan Champions after thrilling victory over England in WCL 2025 opener

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has extended congratulations to the Pakistan Champions after they kicked off their World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 campaign with a thrilling five-run victory against the England Champions at Edgbaston on the other day. 

Pakistan Champions, forced to bat first after England skipper Eoin Morgan won the toss and chose to field, posted a competitive total of 160 for 9 in their allotted 20 overs.

The innings was anchored by former all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez, who scored 54 off 34 balls, including eight boundaries.

Despite the early loss of both openers — Sharjeel Khan (12) and Kamran Akmal (6) — Hafeez provided much-needed stability in the middle order.

Umar Amin was run out after a short stand, while wickets continued to tumble around Hafeez.

However, the experienced campaigner found a late-innings ally in Aamer Yamin.

Together, they stitched a valuable 32-run partnership for the seventh wicket.

Hafeez was eventually dismissed in the 17th over, but Yamin provided a stunning finish by hammering 27 off just 13 deliveries, which included three towering sixes.

Notably, he plundered 22 runs off the final over, bowled by James Vince, giving Pakistan a vital edge.

For England Champions, Chris Tremlett and Liam Plunkett claimed two wickets each, while Stuart Meaker, Ryan Sidebottom, Dimitri Mascarenhas, and James Vince shared the remaining wickets.

In response, England Champions fell narrowly short, managing 155 for 3 by the end of their innings.

The chase got off to a cautious start with Alastair Cook dismissed for 7 by Rumman Raees in the fifth over.

Phil Mustard, who top-scored for England with 58 off 51 balls, built partnerships with Vince (7) and Ian Bell (51* off 35 balls), adding crucial runs in the middle overs.

Mustard and Bell’s 55-run stand for the third wicket kept England in the hunt.

After Mustard was removed by Sohail Tanvir, Bell and Morgan (16* off 13) attempted to close the gap with an unbeaten 48-run partnership.

Despite their efforts, the required run rate proved just out of reach, as Pakistan’s bowlers — Tanvir, Yamin, and Raees — held their nerve in the death overs to seal the narrow win.

Pakistan Champions Playing XI

Mohammad Hafeez (c), Shoaib Malik, Umar Amin, Sharjeel Khan, Kamran Akmal (WK), Asif Ali, Aamer Yamin, Wahab Riaz, Rumman Raees, Sohail Tanvir, Sohail Khan,

England Champions Playing XI

Eoin Morgan (c), Alastair Cook, Ian Bell, James Vince, Liam Plunkett, Chris Tremlett, Dimitri Mascarenhas, Tim Ambrose, Ryan Sidebottom, Stuart Meaker, Phil Mustard (WK)