Cricket: Pakistan legends beat South Africa, set sights on top spot against West Indies as WCL 2025 heats up
Proteas handed first 2025 WCL defeat by surging Shaheens
After falling to their nemesis India in the final of the first edition of the World Championship of Legends last year, Pakistan are well on course to challenge for the title again this season after securing an impressive victory over South Africa on Friday and confirming our cricket predictions.
The Proteas had rattled off three wins in a row in the competition, led by the sensational AB de Villiers, whose absence in the match against the Green Shirts was heavily felt, especially after he had scored 180 runs in his three innings leading up to Friday’s fixture.
Umar Amin anchored the Shaheen’s innings with a steady 58 runs off 42 deliveries, and he received excellent support from Shoaib Malik (46 off 34), while Asif Ali provided a boost to the run rate at the death to get his side to 198/5 in their 20 overs.
In response, South Africa’s top three of JJ Smuts, Hashim Amla and Henry Davids were dismissed for a combined total of just 28 runs, and at 93/7, the writing was clearly on the wall for the Proteas, as Pakistan romped to victory by 31 runs.
Skipper Mohammad Hafeez was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan, notching up two wickets for just 21 runs in his four overs, while Rumman Raees, Imad Wasim, Sohail Tanvir, Sohail Khan and Shoaib Malik all got in the wicket-taker column.
Having been awarded two points after India pulled out of their second match against them, Pakistan are now on four points after two games and can take pole position in the table with a win over the Windies on Saturday, depending on NRR.
Shahid Afridi makes feelings clear after India match abandoned
While the 2025 WCL is only scheduled to feature 18 matches, we have already had what will likely be the biggest talking point of the competition, with India refusing to face Pakistan in game four of the tournament on July 20.
Indian captain Shikhar Dhawan cited “national sentiment” as the reason for not taking the field against the Shaheens in Birmingham, which forced tournament organisers to call off the fixture and award the points to the Green Shirts.
In the aftermath of the incident, Pakistan veteran Shahid Afridi - a long-time believer that politics and cricket should be kept separate - made his thoughts clear on the Men in Blue’s decision to withdraw from the match. He said:
"We are here to play cricket, and I've always maintained that politics and sport should not mix. A player should be a good ambassador for their country, not someone who brings embarrassment. If they didn't want to play, they should have said so before arriving. They came here, attended practice sessions, and then suddenly pulled out. That's not how professional sport works."
Given that both India and Pakistan are still in the running to reach the knockout rounds, there is growing concern over the course of action WCL organisers will need to take if the teams cross paths again, particularly if they are to meet in the final.
