South Africa thrash Pakistan in Championship of Legends

LAHORE: In a thrilling clash of the World Championship of Legends 2024, hosted by England, South Africa defeated unbeaten Pakistan by nine wickets at Northampton’s County Ground.

African champions’ captain Jacques Kallis won the toss and decided to bowl first. Responding to South Africa’s invitation, Pakistani batters started aggressively. Opener Sharjeel Khan continued his aggressive style against South Africa, similar to his performance against India, scoring 72 runs off 36 balls at a strike rate of 200 while Kamran Akmal managed only 13 runs before being caught out.

Sohaib Maqsood and Shahid Afridi, coming in at the third and fourth positions, respectively, scored 24 and 20 runs. After their dismissal, Shoaib Malik and Abdul Razzaq added 75 runs off 33 balls, bringing the team’s total score to 210 in the allotted 20 overs. Shoaib Malik remained unbeaten with 51 runs off 26 balls, and Abdul Razzaq scored 25 runs off 15 balls.

South African bowlers Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander, Charl Langeveldt, and Imran Tahir each took one wicket. In response, South Africa’s batting did not start well, with opener JP Duminy getting out after scoring 27 runs. Cyril Erwee joined Jacques Kallis to thoroughly dominate the Pakistani bowlers, successfully chasing the target with the loss of only one wicket.

Cyril Erwee played an excellent unbeaten inning, scoring 105 runs off 57 balls, while opener Jacques Kallis remained not out at 82 runs off 47 balls. Sohail Khan took the only wicket for Pakistan.