Saeed Ajmal’s 6-Wicket Haul Powers Pakistan Champs to 10-Wicket Rout of Australia Champs

On July 29, 2025, at Grace Road in Leicester, the 14th match of the World Championship of Legends became a one-sided demolition as Pakistan Champions dominated Australia Champions. The Australian batting lineup collapsed in spectacular fashion, managing just 74 runs in 11.5 overs against a ferocious Pakistan bowling attack spearheaded by Saeed Ajmal. Pakistan’s captain won the toss and chose to field, a decision that proved brilliant as their bowlers ran riot, exploiting the pitch and dismantling Australia’s batsmen with ease.

Australia Legends Struggle with the Bat

Shaun Marsh and Chris Lynn opened for Australia, hoping to lay a strong foundation in the 20-over contest. But Pakistan’s bowlers had other ideas. In the second over, Sohail Khan struck, removing Marsh for 7 runs off 10 balls. Marsh, who scratched out a single boundary, looked uncomfortable and edged a catch to Saeed Ajmal, leaving Australia at 11/1. That early blow set the stage for Pakistan’s relentless pressure, as their bowlers gave the Australians no breathing room.

🔥 Saeed Ajmal absolutely demolished the Aussie lineup, finishing with 6 wickets for just 17 runs in 3.5 overs—including 15 dot balls—to bowl Australia out for a paltry 74 all‑out. What a phenomenal performance! 🇵🇰✨

🏏 One of those spells you’ll replay over and over… sheer… pic.twitter.com/2Itn2sXHqK

— Sports Eye (@MySportsEye) July 29, 2025

Chris Lynn, a known power-hitter, tried to fight back. In the third over, he smashed a huge six off Sohail Tanvir, suggesting a possible counterattack. But Tanvir hit back hard, getting Lynn caught by Aamer Yamin for 6 runs off 6 balls. Australia were now 17/2 after just 2.4 overs, their top order in disarray. Those quick wickets put the middle order under immense pressure, and Pakistan’s bowlers kept the screws tight.

When Saeed Ajmal was brought into the attack in the fifth over, the game swung decisively Pakistan’s way. The crafty spinner struck immediately, dismissing D’Arcy Short for 2 runs off 4 balls, stumped by a sharp Kamran Akmal. Short’s brief stay did little to help, and Australia were 49/3. Ben Dunk, coming in with a reputation for aggression, offered some resistance, blasting 26 runs off 14 balls with three fours and two sixes. His fiery knock briefly raised Australia’s hopes, but Ajmal was unstoppable. He had Dunk caught by Fawad Alam and, on the next ball, pinned Dan Christian lbw for a duck. Australia were reeling at 51/4 in 5.3 overs, their innings crumbling fast.

The middle order folded under Ajmal’s relentless spin. With Short already gone, the fifth wicket fell soon after, leaving Australia at 53/5. Ben Cutting tried to dig in but could only manage 5 runs off 7 balls before Ajmal bowled him in the eighth over, reducing Australia to 65/6. Nathan Coulter-Nile lasted just a ball, caught by Asif Ali off Imad Wasim’s bowling, leaving Australia at 66/7 in 8.5 overs.

Callum Ferguson showed some grit, scoring 10 runs off 15 balls with one boundary, but his cautious approach couldn’t stop the slide. He fell to Imad Wasim, caught by Asif Ali, as Australia slumped to 71/8 in 10.3 overs. The tail had no answers. Peter Siddle scored 5 runs off 8 balls before being caught by Shoaib Malik off Ajmal. Steve O’Keefe managed just 1 run before Kamran Akmal took another catch off Ajmal, who ended the innings in the 12th over. Captain Brett Lee was left stranded on 1 not out off 2 balls, watching his team collapse for a measly 74.

Saeed Ajmal 6-16(3.5) vs Australia Champions | WCL 2025 | Ball By Ball Highlights
pic.twitter.com/JnQQXJMOFK

— PCT Replays 2.0 (@ReplaysPCT) July 29, 2025

Saeed Ajmal was the destroyer, finishing with a stunning 6 wickets for 16 runs in 3.5 overs, at an economy of 4.17. His spin variations left the Australian batsmen clueless. Imad Wasim supported them with 2 wickets for 11 runs in 3 overs, while Sohail Tanvir and Sohail Khan took one each. Pakistan’s bowlers gave away just 11 extras (4 byes, 1 leg bye, 1 no-ball, 5 wides), keeping things tight. The quick wickets, especially the double strike in the fifth over and the dismissals of Cutting and Coulter-Nile, ensured Australia had no way back. Their weakness against spin was brutally exposed, setting an easy target for Pakistan.

Pakistan Legends Make an Easy Run Chase

Chasing a modest 75 runs in 20 overs, Pakistan Champions made it look like a walk in the park, finishing the job in just 7.5 overs without losing a wicket. Openers Sharjeel Khan and Sohaib Maqsood put on a batting clinic, steering their team to a crushing 10-wicket win that highlighted their skill and control. The chase was all about smart aggression, as Pakistan wrapped it up with 73 balls to spare, boosting their net run rate and cementing their dominance in the tournament.

Unbelievable over from John Hastings!!! 13 WIDES IN AN OVER!!!! 😱🤯 #WCL2025 #SaeedAjmal #Birmingham #PAKvAUS #PakistanChampions #WCL25 #Cricket #cricprozone #PakistanCricket pic.twitter.com/Kgu0ufNYOY

— cricprozone (@cricprozone) July 29, 2025

Sharjeel Khan led from the front, hammering an unbeaten 32 off 23 balls, with five fours at a strike rate of 139.13. He set the tone early, smashing a boundary off Brett Lee in the first over to show Pakistan’s intent. Sohaib Maqsood, subbing in for Saeed Ajmal, played the perfect supporting role, finishing unbeaten on 28 off 26 balls, with four fours at a strike rate of 107.69. Their unbroken partnership was flawless, mixing quick singles with well-timed boundaries to keep the chase on track.

Australia’s bowlers were completely outclassed. Brett Lee bowled 2 overs for 12 runs but couldn’t find a way through. Peter Siddle was tidy, giving away just 5 runs in his one over, but without wickets, Pakistan were never troubled. Nathan Coulter-Nile and Dan Christian were costly, conceding 18 and 20 runs respectively in their two-over spells, unable to break the rhythm of Sharjeel and Maqsood. John Hastings, standing in for Chris Lynn, had a horror show, leaking 19 runs in just 0.5 overs, including 12 wides that handed Pakistan free runs. The 15 extras (1 leg bye, 2 no-balls, 12 wides) made the chase even easier, as Pakistan maintained a run rate of 9.57 runs per over.

🚨Australia Champions are all out on 74, lowest total in WCL.

Saeed Ajmal took 6 for 16 in 3.5 Overs

Amazing Performance by Pakistan ☠️🫡#WCL2025 #WCL25 #WCL pic.twitter.com/xEggBhTShq

— Amir (@khano_3) July 29, 2025

The chase was a masterclass in controlled batting. Sharjeel’s five fours included booming drives and sharp cuts, showing his dominance. Maqsood played with precision, picking gaps with ease. They sealed the win in the eighth over with a boundary off Hastings, sparking wild celebrations in the Pakistan camp. The ease of the chase meant Pakistan’s big guns like Fawad Alam, Umar Amin, Asif Ali, Shoaib Malik, and Kamran Akmal, didn’t even need to bat, underlining how one-sided the game was.

Pakistan’s plan was simple as to attack early, punish loose balls, and finish fast to boost their net run rate. With no wickets falling, Australia had no chance to test Pakistan’s middle order, and the performance showed the huge gap between the teams. The win gave Pakistan two crucial points, strengthening their tournament standing with a net run rate of 2.494.

TCNI’s Magic Moment of the Game

On July 29, 2025, at Leicester, Pakistan Champions chased down 75 runs like it was nothing. Openers Sharjeel Khan and Sohaib Maqsood made the target look laughably easy, sealing a 10-wicket win in just 7.5 overs. Sharjeel smashed 32 off 23 balls, cracking five fours at a strike rate of 139.13, while Maqsood played a calm unbeaten 28 off 26 balls, with four fours at 107.69. Their unbroken stand, helped by 15 extras (12 wides, 2 no-balls, 1 leg bye), kept the run rate at a breezy 9.57.

Pakistan Champions is yet to be defeated in the #WCL2025 👏#Cricket | #Pakistan | #SharjeelKhan | #SohaibMaqsood | #Birmingham | #Australia pic.twitter.com/MpgRiXocDw

— Khel Shel (@khelshel) July 29, 2025

Australia’s bowlers were helpless as Brett Lee (2 overs, 12 runs) and Nathan Coulter-Nile (2 overs, 18 runs) couldn’t make a dent, while John Hastings gave away 19 runs in 0.5 overs, including 12 wides. The smooth chase, with no wickets lost and stars like Shoaib Malik and Kamran Akmal not needed, showed Pakistan’s batting strength, making this TCNI’s Magic Moment of the Game.

TCNI’s Hero of the Day

As Australia Champions crashed to 74 all out in 11.5 overs on July 29, 2025, at Leicester, Saeed Ajmal was the undisputed star, earning TCNI’s Hero of the Day. The Pakistan spinner bowled a dream spell, taking 6 wickets for 16 runs in 3.5 overs at an economy of 4.17. Ajmal tore through Australia’s batting, starting with D’Arcy Short’s stumping and Ben Dunk’s 26 off 14 balls, caught by Fawad Alam.

Saeed Ajmal weaved pure magic, dismantling the Australian champions for just 74 runs with a jaw-dropping 6/16 in WCL 2025. pic.twitter.com/dTQnSmhE36

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) July 29, 2025

He trapped Dan Christian lbw for a duck, then dismissed Ben Cutting, Peter Siddle, and Steve O’Keefe, finishing with O’Keefe’s catch by Kamran Akmal. Despite four wides, Ajmal’s sharp spin and clever variations on a helpful pitch were unplayable, earning him the Player of the Match award. His brilliance set up Pakistan’s easy 10-wicket chase, making him the game’s defining figure.