Pakistan post 196-run target against South Africa in WCL final

Pakistan Champions set a competitive 196-run target against South Africa Champions in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) final at Edgbaston Cricket Ground on Saturday.

Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez’s decision to bat first proved beneficial as his team’s batting unit yielded 195/5 in their allotted 20 overs.

The Green Shirts, however, had a contrasting start to their innings as they lost in-form opener Kamran Akmal (two) in the third over with just 14 runs on the board.

Following the early stutter, skipper Hafeez joined Sharjeel in the middle, and the duo put together 40 runs for the second wicket until the former fell victim to Wayne Parnell in the sixth over. Hafeez made 17 off 10 deliveries.

Sharjeel was then involved in a one-sided 72-run partnership for the third wicket with Shoaib Malik until Hardus Viljoen trapped him lbw in the 14th over.

The left-handed opener remained the top-scorer for Pakistan Champions with 76 off 44 deliveries, studded with nine fours and four sixes.

Malik followed suit in the next over when Parnell drew curtains on his struggling knock, amid which he mustered 20 off 25 deliveries.

The back-to-back dismissals reduced Pakistan Champions to 132/4 in 14.3 overs, besides forcing an unset pair of Umar Amin and Asif Ali.

The duo, however, managed to retain the momentum and registered a sensational 61-run partnership, which culminated with Asif’s dismissal on the fourth delivery of the final over. He made 28 off 15 deliveries, laced with one four and two sixes.

Amin, who was the core aggressor of the crucial stand, remained unbeaten with a 19-ball 36, featuring three fours and as many sixes.

For South Africa Champions, Viljoen and Parnell bagged two wickets each, while Duanne Olivier made one scalp.

Playing XI

Pakistan Champions: Sharjeel Khan, Kamran Akmal(w), Mohammad Hafeez(c), Asif Ali, Shoaib Malik, Imad Wasim, Umar Amin, Aamer Yamin, Sohail Tanvir, Rumman Raees, Saeed Ajmal

South Africa Champions: Hashim Amla, JJ Smuts, Morne van Wyk(w), Sarel Erwee, Jean-Paul Duminy, Wayne Parnell, Hardus Viljoen, Jacques Rudolph, Aaron Phangiso, Imran Tahir, Duanne Olivier