A tearful Harbhajan Singh hugs Irfan Pathan as he scores the winning boundary as Indian champions beat Pakistan in the WCL final | Pragativadi

New Delhi: India Champions defeated Pakistan Champions by five wickets in the final of the 2024 World Champions Championship of Legends in Birmingham on Saturday. Ambati Rayudu laid the perfect foundation with his fiery half-century, followed by notable contributions from Yusuf Pathan, Gurkeerat Mann and captain Yuvraj Singh as India piled on 157 runs with five balls to go.

Pakistan opted to bat first at the venue, where chasing teams have fared slightly better, and were restricted to just 156 for six. Anureet Singh was the pick of the bowlers for the Indian side as he took an impressive three-wicket haul.

Openers Robin Uthappa and Rayudu then ensured that India Champions made a promising start with a 34-run stand before fast bowler Aamer Yamin brought Pakistan back into the match with two quick wickets. India recovered well, however, as Rayudu forged a 60-run stand with Gurkeet en route to his 30-ball 50 before Yusuf and Yuvraj stitched together an aggressive 42-run partnership to take the side closer to victory.

Wahab Riaz broke the partnership by dismissing Yusuf in the 19th over, giving Pakistan another chance as they had to defend seven runs from the remaining 10 balls.

Ultimately, it was Irfan Pathan who held his nerve in the final over to smash the winning boundary, against Sohail Tanvir, right over the bowler’s head, and decided the match in favour of India Champions. The all-rounder roared with joy before being congratulated and hugged by Yuvraj. Later, Harbhajan Singh, who took six wickets for Indian Champions during the tournament, turned emotional as tears rolled down his eyes and he embraced Irfan in a warm hug after the match.

With the win, India Champions also took revenge for their loss to arch-rivals Pakistan earlier in the group stage of the tournament. A fiery performance from Pakistan’s top order – Kamran Akmal, Sharjeel Khan and Shoaib Maqsood – who all scored their respective fifties – had helped the team register a convincing 68-run victory at the same venue last week.