The World Championship of Legends (WCL) is back for its second edition, and Pakistan Champions are coming in hot with a blend of experienced campaigners and exciting new additions.
As the tournament kicks off on July 18 at the historic Edgbaston Stadium, all eyes will be on Mohammad Hafeez and his men when they face England Champions in the curtain-raiser.
Mohammad Hafeez Takes Over, Big Names Miss Out
One of the biggest headlines this season is Mohammad Hafeez taking over the captaincy from Younis Khan.
The Professor will be leading Pakistan Champions for the first time in the WCL, while Younis and Misbah-ul-Haq, two of Pakistan’s most seasoned veterans, are not part of the squad this year.
While a few legends have stepped away, the new squad has plenty to get excited about. Sarfaraz Ahmed, the man who lifted the 2017 Champions Trophy, joins the fold along with all-rounder Imad Wasim and left-arm pacer Rumman Raees.
Another notable inclusion is left-handed batter Umar Amin, who adds depth to the batting order.
Thankfully for fans, several familiar names are returning to bring that nostalgic punch. Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Sharjeel Khan, Kamran Akmal and Wahab Riaz are all set to don the green once again.
These seasoned players played pivotal roles in last year’s campaign and will be expected to provide both performances and leadership.
Looking Back at WCL 2024
Last year, under Younis Khan’s captaincy, Pakistan Champions had a strong run through the group stages, earning a place in the final. Unfortunately, they fell just short against arch-rivals India.
Pakistan posted 157, but India chased it down with five wickets and five balls to spare. The match was a thriller, and it left the green shirts hungry for redemption.
Tournament Format and Venues
The 2025 edition of the WCL promises more action and fanfare, with matches being held at four iconic venues across England: Edgbaston in Birmingham, County Ground in Northampton, Grace Road in Leicester and Headingley in Leeds.
Six teams will be battling it out in a round-robin format – Pakistan, India, Australia, England, South Africa and West Indies. The top four sides at the end of the group stage will qualify for the semi-finals. With such a power-packed lineup, fans are guaranteed plenty of fireworks.
Pakistan Champions Squad for WCL 2025
Here’s a look at the men in green who’ll be representing Pakistan this season:
- Mohammad Hafeez (Captain)
- Shoaib Malik
- Sohaib Maqsood
- Umar Amin
- Sharjeel Khan
- Sarfaraz Ahmed (WK)
- Shahid Afridi
- Asif Ali
- Aamer Yamin
- Wahab Riaz
- Rumman Raees
- Sohail Tanvir
- Sohail Khan
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