New Delhi: Ambati Rayudu and Yusuf Pathan starred with the bat as Yuvraj Singh-led India Champions thrashed Pakistan Champions by five wickets in the last over of a thrilling final to win the inaugural edition of the World Championship of Legends in Edgbaston on Sunday.
Rayudu slammed a quickfire 50 off just 30 balls while Yusuf produced a sensational cameo of 16-ball 30 to help India Champions chase down the target of 157 runs with five balls to spare and win the trophy. As expected, fans turned up in huge numbers at Edgbaston for the much-anticipated game featuring some of the yesteryear greats of the game.
Opting to bat first in the final, Pakistan got off to a poor start as they lost opener Sharjeel Khan cheaply on just 12 runs off 10 balls. The likes of Kamran Akmal (24) and Shoaib Maqsood (21) made vital contributions before Shoaib Malik’s 41 off 36 balls helped them post a fighting total of 156 runs on the board in 20 overs.
Irfan Pathan. Inswinger. Younis Khan.
Even 18 years later, the result remains the same☝🏽@IrfanPathan | #IndvPakonFanCode pic.twitter.com/VSWLRhfBUO
— FanCode (@FanCode) July 13, 2024
Anureet Singh was the pick of the bowlers for India as the pacer finished with a three-wicket haul in the summit clash. Anureet dismissed the likes of Sharjeel, Malik and Aamer Yamin to finish with figures of 3/43 in his 4 overs. He was well supported by the likes of Irfan Pathan and Vinay Kumar as India managed to restrict Pakistan to 156 runs.
Rayudu, Yusuf star for India Champions
Despite losing Robin Uthappa and Suresh Raina cheaply on top of the order, India dominated the proceedings in the run-chase courtesy of Ambati Rayudu’s brilliant half-century. Opening the batting with Uthappa, Rayudu slammed 50 off 30 balls laced with 5 fours and 2 sixes. He added a crucial partnership of 60 runs for the third wicket with Gurkeerat Mann (34) which helped India set the tone for a comfortable win in the run chase.
India vs Pakistan Final? No problem, says Ambati Rayudu 🔥#IndvPakonFanCode #WCLonFanCode pic.twitter.com/mIrHfq6sUT
— FanCode (@FanCode) July 13, 2024
India Champions lost Rayudu and Mann in quick succession after their partnership was broken by spinner Saeed Ajmal in the 12th over. However, Yusuf took control of the proceedings and went hammer and tongs as he smashed 30 off just 16 balls laced with 3 sixes and a four to put India in touching distance of a victory.
India champions were in a little spot of bother when Yusuf got dismissed on 30 in the 19th over. However, his brother smashed a boundary to score the winning runs for India in the last over and take the team over the line in the tense chase.
Rayudu was adjudged the Player of the Match in the final for his brilliant knock of 50 runs which helped India come out on top against Pakistan in the high-pressure contest. Yusuf won the Player of the Tournament award for his heroics throughout the competition.
India Champions hammered Pakistan Champions by five wickets in the final to win the inaugural edition of the World Championship of Legends in Edgbaston on Sunday. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
