India Triumphs Over Pakistan to Win WCL 2024 Final, Rayudu Scores a Fifty in the Title Match

In the final match of the World Championship of Legends 2024, the Indian champions emerged victorious against the Pakistan champions, securing a five-wicket win. The tournament marked India‘s first title in this prestigious event.

India had two wins and three losses in the group stage, securing a place in the final based on better net run rate. They finished fourth in the team standings. On the other hand, Pakistan won four matches and lost one in the group stage.

In a toss won by Pakistan, they opted to bat first. Pakistan managed to score 156 runs for six wickets in their 20 overs, with Shoaib Malik playing a stunning innings of 41 runs. In response, India chased down the target comfortably, reaching 159 runs for five wickets in 19.1 overs, with Ambati Rayudu scoring a half-century.

Rayudu’s exceptional performance anchored India’s innings from the start. He partnered with Robin Uthappa for the first wicket, contributing 34 runs before falling victim to Amir. Suresh Raina failed to make a big impact, managing just 4 runs before returning to the pavilion. Gurkeerat Singh Mann took the crease and accompanied Rayudu, forming a 25-run partnership for the third wicket. Rayudu managed to secure an incredible half-century in the match, maintaining a strike rate of 166.66 with five boundaries and two sixes.

Gurkeerat Singh Mann made 34 runs with the assistance of two boundaries and a six before getting dismissed. In this match, Yusuf Pathan scored 30 runs, while Yuvraj Singh and Irfan Pathan remained unbeaten with 15 and 5 runs respectively. Amir claimed two wickets for Pakistan, while Saqlain Ajmal, Wahab Riaz, and Shoaib Malik picked up a wicket each.

Opening the batting for Pakistan, Kamran Akmal and Sharjeel Khan had a slow start. Anureet Singh broke the partnership by dismissing Sharjeel, who scored only 12 runs. Kamran and Sohaib Maqsood took over, managing a 30-run partnership for the second wicket. Maqsood scored 21 runs off 12 balls before returning to the pavilion. On the other hand, Kamran hit 24 runs with four boundaries before getting out. Shoaib Malik played the anchoring innings for Pakistan, scoring 41 runs off 36 deliveries with three sixes.

In this match, Younis Khan scored 18 runs, Misbah-ul-Haq scored 30 runs, Amir Yamin made 7 runs, while Shahid Afridi and Sohail Tanvir remained unbeaten with 4 and 19 runs respectively. Anureet Singh claimed three wickets for India, while Vinay Kumar, Pawan Negi, and Irfan Pathan each took one wicket.

India’s Champion XI included Robin Uthappa (wk), Ambati Rayudu, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh (c), Yusuf Pathan, Irfan Pathan, Pawan Negi, Vinay Kumar, Harbhajan Singh, Rahul Shukla, and Anureet Singh. On the other hand, Pakistan’s Champion XI featured Kamran Akmal (wk), Sharjeel Khan, Sohaib Maqsood, Shoaib Malik, Younis Khan (c), Shahid Afridi, Misbah-ul-Haq, Amir Yamin, Sohail Tanveer, Wahab Riaz, and Sohail Khan.