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Wicket-keeper batter and 2017 Champions Trophy-winning captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has joined Pakistan Champions for the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025, scheduled to take place from July 18 to August 2, 2025.
The announcement of the veteran player was made via social media handles.
“He is back behind the stumps… and probably shouting “only one, only one!” already. Everyone’s favourite Sarfaraz Ahmed returns — and so does the energy we all love,” the franchise wrote in the caption with an animated picture.
Sarfaraz Ahmed led Pakistan to a memorable victory over arch-rivals India in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017. The right-hander has represented Pakistan in 61 T20Is.
Under Sarfaraz’s captaincy, Pakistan clinched 11 consecutive T20I series wins, defeating West Indies, Australia, New Zealand, England, and Zimbabwe.
For the unversed, the WCL 2025 will be contested across four English venues: Edgbaston (Birmingham), County Ground (Northampton), Grace Road (Leicester), and Headingley (Leeds).
Six teams, India, Pakistan, Australia, England, South Africa, and the West Indies, will face off in a round-robin format, with the top four teams qualifying for the semi-finals.
The upcoming edition marks the second installment of the WCL, following the inaugural tournament held in 2024, where the Indian team, led by the legendary Yuvraj Singh, emerged as champions.
During the inaugural season, Younis Khan-led Pakistan were among the standout teams, producing dominant performances throughout the group stage.
They opened their campaign with a clinical win over Australia before thrashing the West Indies.
One of the tournament’s most iconic moments came in their clash against India, where Pakistan racked up a mammoth 243/4 and then restricted their arch-rivals to 175/9.
Their only group-stage defeat came against South Africa, but the Men in Green bounced back strong, sealing a semi-final win against the West Indies by 20 runs to set up a high-stakes final against India.
Despite a spirited effort, Pakistan Champions fell just short in the final. After setting a target of 157, they couldn’t prevent India from chasing it down with five wickets and five balls to spare.
READ: Pakistan crush Bangladesh to continue unbeaten run in U-18 Hockey Asia Cup
