Leicester: Saeed Ajmal produced a sensational display of spin bowling to lead Pakistan Champions to a crushing victory over Australia Champions in the 14th fixture of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 at Grace Road on Tuesday.
Australia, put into bat first, collapsed in dramatic fashion and were bundled out for just 74 runs in 11.5 overs. The Pakistani bowlers struck early, applying pressure right from the start.
Australia lost their first wicket in the second over when Shaun Marsh was caught by Saeed Ajmal off Sohail Khan after scoring only seven runs. In the next over, Chris Lynn, who had made just six runs, was also dismissed, leaving the Australians struggling at 17 for 2.
Darcy Short and Ben Dunk attempted to stabilize the innings with a brief partnership. Dunk, in particular, looked aggressive and struck 26 off just 14 balls, hitting two sixes and three fours.
However, once Dunk was dismissed, Australia’s innings began to unravel. The introduction of Saeed Ajmal into the attack proved decisive. Ajmal ripped through the middle and lower order with his vintage off-spin, starting with the dismissal of Short for two runs.
Ajmal then removed Daniel Christian for a golden duck before cleaning up the rest of the lineup. Ben Cutting (5), Peter Siddle (5), and Steve O’Keefe (1) all fell victim to Ajmal’s guile and accuracy. He finished with astonishing figures of 6 for 16 in 3.5 overs, cementing his status as the standout performer of the match.
Chasing a modest target of 75 runs, Pakistan Champions made the task look effortless. Openers Sharjeel Khan and Sohaib Maqsood gave the team a steady start, scoring 17 runs in the first three overs. They picked up the pace in the next two overs, scoring 10 runs each, and brought the total to 45 without loss by the end of the powerplay.
Sharjeel Khan remained unbeaten on 26 from 18 balls, while Sohaib Maqsood contributed 19 from an equal number of deliveries. The match came to an abrupt end in the eighth over, when John Hastings delivered 13 wides and a no-ball, handing Pakistan a win without losing a wicket. The chase was completed in just 7.5 overs, underlining Pakistan’s dominance.
This commanding victory pushed Pakistan Champions to the top of the points table with four wins from five matches, ensuring their strong position heading into the next stage of the tournament. The performance, especially Saeed Ajmal’s six-wicket haul, was a throwback to his prime and served as a reminder of the quality he still brings to the game.
