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Pakistan Champions continued their strong form in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025, securing their second consecutive victory by defeating South Africa Champions by 31 runs on Friday at Grace Road.
Shoaib Malik played a key all-round role, while Umar Amin’s solid half-century helped Pakistan post a competitive total.
After being asked to bat first, Pakistan made 198 for 5 in their 20 overs. Openers Sharjeel Khan and Kamran Akmal gave a quick start. Sharjeel hit 19 off 11 balls, including three fours and a six, before falling to Hardus Viljoen. Kamran followed soon after, scoring 17 from 11 balls before being dismissed by Duanne Olivier.
Captain Mohammad Hafeez couldn’t contribute much and was dismissed for 8 with the team at 76 for 3.
Umar Amin and Shoaib Malik then built a vital 79-run partnership. Umar anchored the innings with a well-crafted 58 off 42 balls, hitting four fours and three sixes. He was dismissed in the 17th over. Asif Ali added quick runs at the end, scoring 23 off just 11 balls, while Aamer Yamin remained unbeaten on 11. Malik stayed not out on 46 from 34 deliveries, guiding the team to a strong finish.
Duanne Olivier took two wickets for South Africa, while Viljoen, Parnell, and Duminy picked one each.
Chasing 199, South Africa Champions managed only 167 for 9. They began positively with 13 runs in the first over bowled by Rumman Raees, but their momentum slowed quickly.
JJ Smuts was dismissed for 10 in the third over, followed by the quick wickets of Henry Davids (6), Hashim Amla (12), Sarel Erwee (12), and Jacques Rudolph (10), leaving them struggling at 58 for 5.
Shoaib Malik got the key wicket of JP Duminy (11), while Imad Wasim struck on his debut, removing stand-in captain Aaron Phangiso for 13.
Wayne Parnell showed some fight with 21 off 9 balls, but Wahab Riaz bowled him to end the threat. Morne van Wyk remained unbeaten on 44 off 20 balls, but with little help from the rest of the batting lineup, South Africa fell short.
Chris Morris scored 10 before getting out in the final over to Sohail Tanvir, who finished with two wickets. Hafeez also took two, while Rumman, Imad, Sohail Khan, Malik, and Wahab claimed one each.
Pakistan will now face the West Indies Champions in their next WCL 2025 match on Saturday at Headingley, Leeds.
