NORTHAMPTON: Pakistan set a target of 199 runs for West Indies after being put in to bat in the first semi-final of the ongoing World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2024 at County Ground in Northampton on Friday.
Pakistan got off to a shaky start, losing Sharjeel Khan, Sohaib Maqsood, and Shoaib Malik early with total 16 runs. The West Indies bowlers capitalized on favorable conditions with swing under cloudy skies.
However, a crucial 77-run partnership between captain Younis Khan and Kamran Akmal steadied Pakistan’s innings. Akmal played aggressively, scoring 46 off 31 balls with eight boundaries before his dismissal. Pakistan suffered setbacks with back to back dismissal of Shahid Afridi (1) and Misbah-ul-Haq (0).
Younis Khan anchored the innings with 65 runs before being dismissed by Fidel Edwards. Lower-order batsmen Aamer Yamin and Sohail Tanvir then built a rapid 61-run partnership, boosting Pakistan’s total. Yamin scored 37 off 17 balls while Tanvir contributed 33 off 17 deliveries.
Fidel Edwards was the pick of the West Indies bowlers, taking three wickets, supported by Sulieman Benn with two wickets, and one each for Jerome Taylor and Dwayne Smith.
Later today, the India Champions will take on Australia Champions in the second semi-final at the same venue. The final of WCL 2024 is scheduled for tomorrow at Edgbaston, Birmingham.
Playing Squad
Pakistan Champions: Kamran Akmal (wk), Sharjeel Khan, Sohaib Maqsood, Younis Khan (c), Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Misbah-ul-Haq, Aamer Yamin, Sohail Khan, Wahab Riaz, Tanvir Ahmed.
West Indies Champions: Dwayne Smith, Chadwick Walton (wk), Jonathan Carter, Jason Mohammed, Ashley Nurse, Daren Sammy (c), Rayad Emrit, Jerome Taylor, Fidel Edwards, Tino Best, Sulieman Benn.
