In a gripping first semi-final of the World Championship of Legends 2024, the Pakistan Champions emerged victorious by 20 runs against the West Indies Champions at the County Ground, Northampton. This win propels them to the WCL 2024 finals, marking a significant achievement for the team.
WCL 2024 Semi-final 1: Pakistan Champions Qualify for WCL 2024 Final
Winning the toss, the West Indies Champions opted to bowl first. Pakistan Champions had a shaky start with Sharjeel Khan dismissed for a duck by Jerome Taylor in the very first over. The early dismissals of Maqsood and Shoaib Malik, both claimed by Fidel Edwards, left Pakistan reeling at 10-3.
Kamran Akmal, however, steadied the innings with a solid 46 off 31 balls, including 8 fours, before falling to Dwayne Smith. Captain Younis Khan played a crucial knock, scoring 65 off 45 balls with 6 fours and a six, anchoring the innings and setting a respectable target. Contributions from Aamer Yamin, who scored an unbeaten 40 off just 18 balls, and Sohail Tanvir’s quick 33 off 17 balls, boosted Pakistan to 198-8 in their 20 overs.
Fidel Edwards was the pick of the bowlers for West Indies, taking 3 wickets for 24 runs. Sulieman Benn also chipped in with 2 wickets for 26 runs, while Dwayne Smith and Jerome Taylor took a wicket each.
West Indies Champions Innings
Chasing 199, West Indies Champions started cautiously. Chris Gayle and Dwayne Smith provided a decent start with Gayle scoring 22 and Smith 26. However, the Pakistani bowlers struck back, with Sohail Khan dismissing both Gayle and Walton to disrupt the chase.
Ashley Nurse’s 36 off 24 balls and Rayad Emrit’s explosive 29 off just 9 balls provided some hope, but the Pakistani bowlers kept taking wickets at crucial moments. Wahab Riaz and Shoaib Malik played pivotal roles with the ball, each picking up 2 wickets. Sohail Khan was outstanding with 4 wickets for 21 runs, ensuring West Indies fell short by 20 runs, getting bowled out for 178 in 19.5 overs.
Key Moments and Statistics
- Kamran Akmal’s Resilience: Akmal’s 46 was vital in stabilizing the early innings collapse.
- Younis Khan’s Captaincy Knock: His 65 provided the backbone of the innings.
- Aamer Yamin and Sohail Tanvir’s Lower-Order Fireworks: Their late blitz ensured a formidable total.
- Sohail Khan’s Bowling Prowess: His 4 for 21 dismantled the West Indies’ chase.
The Pakistan Champions displayed a balanced team performance, with critical contributions from both batsmen and bowlers. Their ability to recover from early setbacks and post a challenging total was commendable. The West Indies Champions fought hard but were ultimately outplayed by a well-rounded Pakistan side.
As the Pakistan Champions celebrate their hard-earned victory and prepare for the final, their performance in this semi-final will certainly boost their confidence. They await the winner of the second semi-final, ready to battle for the ultimate glory in the World Championship of Legends 2024.
Also, see:
Pakistan vs West Indies: Where to watch WCL 2024 semi-final 1 live?
