WCL 2025: Saeed Ajmal's six-wicket haul sinks Australia to a low score

LIECESTER: The Pakistan Champions spinner Saeed Ajmal showcased his skills by dismantling the Australia Champions, limiting them to a low total in the 14th match of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 at Grace Road on Tuesday.

Batting first, Australia’s Champions struggled significantly, getting all out for just 74 runs in 11.5 overs.

Pakistan Champions struck early, reducing Australia Champions to 17-2 within 2.4 overs.

In the second over, Shaun Marsh was dismissed by Saeed Ajmal off Sohail Khan’s bowling after scoring a mere seven runs. Chris Lynn followed shortly after, returning to the pavilion with just six runs to his name.

Following these early setbacks, DArcy Short and Ben Dunk formed a brief partnership. Dunk played aggressively, scoring 26 runs off 14 balls, including two sixes and three fours, which provided some stability to Australia’s innings.

However, Dunk’s dismissal initiated a collapse from which Australia could not recover. Once Saeed Ajmal entered the bowling attack, his spin magic led to their downfall, as he took out the lower order with ease.

Ajmal dismissed Short (2), Daniel Christian for a golden duck, Ben Cutting (5), Peter Siddle (5), and Steve O’Keefe for just one run.

For the Pakistan Champions, Saeed Ajmal delivered an exceptional performance, achieving a six-wicket haul for only 16 runs in 3.5 overs.

Playing XIs

Australia: Chris Lynn, Shaun Marsh, D Arcy Short, Ben Dunk (wk), Daniel Christian, Callum Ferguson, Ben Cutting, Peter Siddle, Brett Lee (c), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Steve O’Keefe

Pakistan: Sharjeel Khan, Kamran Akmal (wk), Fawad Alam, Umar Amin, Asif Ali, Shoaib Malik (c), Imad Wasim, Aamer Yamin, Sohail Khan, Sohail Tanvir, Saeed Ajmal

The WCL 2025 is currently being held across four venues in England: Edgbaston (Birmingham), County Ground (Northampton), Grace Road (Leicester), and Headingley (Leeds).

Six teams, namely India, Pakistan, Australia, England, South Africa, and the West Indies, are competing against each other.