Leicester, July 29, 2025: A scintillating six-wicket haul by Saeed Ajmal, followed by unbeaten innings from Sharjeel Khan and Sohaib Maqsood, powered Pakistan Champions to a dominant 10-wicket win over Australia Champions in the 14th match of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 at Grace Road on Tuesday.
Chasing a modest target of 75 runs, Pakistan made light work of the chase, cruising to victory without losing a wicket and with a remarkable 50 balls to spare.
Sharjeel Khan top-scored with a fluent 32 not out off 23 deliveries, striking five boundaries, while Maqsood remained unbeaten on 28 from 26 balls, which included four fours.
The victory was set up by Pakistan’s stand-in skipper Shoaib Malik’s decision to bowl first — a move that paid immediate dividends as Ajmal led a devastating bowling assault to bundle out Australia for just 74 in 11.5 overs.
Australia got off to a shaky start, losing openers Shaun Marsh (7) and Chris Lynn (6) within the first three overs with only 17 runs on the board. Ben Dunk and D’Arcy Short attempted to rebuild with a 37-run partnership, but Dunk’s brisk 26 off 14 balls (3 fours, 2 sixes) came to an end in the sixth over — the first of Ajmal’s triple strike.
Ajmal dismissed both Dunk and Short (10) in the same over, reducing Australia to 53/3. He continued his demolition job by removing Ben Cutting (5) in his next over and returned later to finish off the tail, ending with extraordinary figures of 6 for 16 in 3.5 overs.t
Imad Wasim provided crucial support, claiming 2 wickets for just 11 runs in his three overs. Fast bowlers Sohail Tanvir and Sohail Khan also picked up a wicket each to ensure Australia never recovered from the collapse.
With this emphatic win, Pakistan Champions moved to the top of the WCL 2025 points table with nine points from five matches. Australia Champions, despite the loss, remain third with five points from as many games. Both teams, along with South Africa (now second), have already secured their places in the semi-finals.
