World Championship of Legends 2024: Akmal, Sharjeel and Maqsood hit fifties as Pakistan post 243 to beat Harbhajan-led India by 68 runs

Less than a month after Rohit Sharma-led India beat Babar Azam’s Pakistan by six runs in T20 World Cup 2024, in the ongoing World Championship of Legends 2024, Pakistan Champions beat India Champions by 68 runs. At Edgbaston, Birmingham, Pakistan posted a daunting total of 243/4 with the help of half-centuries from Kamran Akmal, Sharjeel Khan and Sohaib Maqsood. India suffered a batting collapse as Wahab Riaz and Shoaib Malik bagged three wickets each to help their side win by comfortable margin of 68 runs.
 

Big opening partnership

Skipper Harbhajan Singh won the toss and opted to bowl first. Sharjeel took on RP Singh hitting him for two fours and a six in the third over. After poweprlay overs, Pakistan had 68 runs on the board. Sharjeel reached his fifty from 23 balls whereas Kamran took 29. In the 10th over, Irfan Pathan conceded 25 runs as Akmal hit him for a six and three fours. Sharjeel hit a six as well. Anureet Singh broke the opening partnership. Sharjeel scored 72 runs from 30 balls including seven fours and five sixes. Maqsood walked out guns blazing as he smashed sixes all around the park. 

Pakistan post massive total

Pawan Negi ended Kamran's stay at the crease. The wicketkeeper-batter scored 77 runs from 40 balls. His knock was laced with nine fours and four sixes. In the 16th over, Pakistan crossed the 200-run mark. Maqsood reached his fifty from 24 balls in the 17th over. RP Singh in the 18th over got the wicket of Maqsood who scored 51 runs from 26 balls. Shahid Afridi could not do much with the bat either and got out to Dhawal Kulkarni for a golden duck. Shoaib Malik remained unbeaten for 18-ball 25 as Pakistan posted 243/4.

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Wickets tumble after good start

India's run chase started off well. Robin Uthappa hit two consecutive sixes off Sohail Khan in the third over before losing his wicket. Uthappa scored 22 runs from 12 balls. Ambati Rayudu and Suresh Raina pushed the scoring rate in powerplay overs. India were 67/1 after six overs. Rayudu got bowled by Malik in the eighth over. He scored 39 runs from 23 balls. In the next over, Yusuf Pathan was run out for a diamond duck. Gurkeerat Singh could not make a mark either and got out lbw to Malik. India were 93/4 after 10 overs.

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Raina’s fifty only positive amidst batting collapse

Yuvraj took on Malik but became his third victim of the day in the 12th over. In the middle overs, the required run rate slipped out of the grasp. In the 16th over, Riaz struck twice to dismiss Irfan and Negi. Raina reached his half-century from 38 balls in the 17th over. Riaz struck again, this time dismissing Harbhajan lbw in 18th over. In the penultimate over, Sohail Tanvir ended Raina's stay at the crease. He hit six fours and a couple of sixes in his 40-ball 52. Anureet finished the innings with a six but India managed to post 175/9 and lost the match by 68 runs.
 

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