BIRMINGHAM: Pakistan Champions are geared up to face the West Indies in the semifinals of the World Legends Championship (WCL) 2024 today, with all-rounder Shahid Afridi expressing confidence in his team’s performance.
“We’re all determined to win the semi-final and make it to the final. Fans will get great entertainment if we see a Pakistan vs. India match,” Afridi stated, highlighting the excitement surrounding the potential final.
Under the leadership of Younis Khan, Pakistan dominated the group stage, securing four wins out of five matches, including impressive victories against Australia, India, West Indies, and England. Their only setback came in a close match against South Africa.
Pacer Sohail Tanvir, who missed two matches, confirmed he is fully fit for the semifinal. The Pakistani batting lineup has shown exceptional form, with Sharjeel Khan (209 runs) and Shoaib Malik (204 runs) ranking among the top five scorers of the tournament, while Sohaib Maqsood (182 runs) also features in the top ten.
In contrast, the West Indies, captained by Daren Sammy, qualified for the semifinals despite winning only two of their five group matches, advancing due to a better Net Run Rate than South Africa. They started their campaign with a loss to Australia but managed wins against England and South Africa before suffering defeats against India and Pakistan.
As the favorites heading into the match, Pakistan must remain cautious of West Indies’ formidable players like Chris Gayle, Dwayne Smith, and Sammy, who could pose significant challenges to their bowlers.
Match Timing:
- PST: 4:30 PM
- Local Time: 12:30 PM
- GMT: 11:30 PM
Squads: Pakistan Champions: Younis Khan (c), Misbah-ul-Haq, Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal, Abdul Razzaq, Wahab Riaz, Saeed Ajmal, Sohail Tanvir, Sohail Khan, Tanvir Ahmed, Mohammad Hafeez, Aamer Yamin, Shoaib Malik, Sohaib Maqsood, Sharjeel Khan, Umar Akmal, Yasir Arafat, Taufeeq Umar.
West Indies Champions: Chris Gayle, Daren Sammy, Samuel Badree, Tino Best, Rayad Emrit, Jason Mohammed, Navin Stewart, Ashley Nurse, Dwayne Smith, Sulieman Benn, Chadwick Walton, Jerome Taylor, Fidel Edwards, Kirk Edwards, Jonathan Carter.
