Following that, it was icing on the cake as India Champions emerged victorious in the inaugural edition of the World Championship of Legends in Birmingham.
The Yuvraj Singh-led team defeated arch-rivals Pakistan Champions by five wickets at Edgbaston in a pulsating finale of the World Championship of Legends 2024 on Saturday.
The moment Irfan Pathan smashed Sohail Tanvir in the first ball of the 19th over for a winning boundary, his brother Yusuf Patha could not contain his emotions.
Unable to restrain his joy, Yusuf swiftly dashed from the dugout to the center of the pitch, eager to celebrate the momentous occasion with his sibling.
Talking about the match, Pakistan Champions posted a competitive total of 156 for 6 in their 20 overs after opting to bat first.
The standout performer was Shoaib Malik, who scored a crucial 41 off 23 balls, anchoring the innings. Captain Younis Khan failed to make a mark as he was clean bowled by Irfan Pathan for 7.
The middle-order collapsed and Misbah-ul-Haq was retired hurt after a brisk 18, late contributions from Sohail Tanvir (19* off 9) ensured Pakistan reached a respectable score.
In response, India Champions started their run chase with intent. Despite losing Robin Uthappa (10) early, Ambati Rayudu’s explosive 50 off 30 balls set the foundation for the chase for the Men in Blue.
With captain Yuvraj Singh (15*) and Irfan Pathan (5*) at the crease, India sealed the win, finishing at 159 for 5 in 19.1 overs, much to the delight of their fans.
