WCL 2025: Predicting Pakistan Champions XI for match 1

The World Champions League (WCL 2025) will begin on July 18 with the England Champions taking on the Pakistan Champions in the tournament opener in Birmingham. This is the second season of the premier event for retired and former cricketers who are still capable of competing at a high level.

Pakistan Champions had made it into the final of the first edition of the WCL only to lose to arch-rival India Champions. However, this time, they had some more firepower and will enter the team with new vigor and focus.

Here is the predicted Pakistan Champions XI for match 1 for WCL 2025:

Top Order: Shoaib Maqsood, Asif Ali, Younis Khan

Shoaib Maqsood is expected to open the batting for Pakistan Champions with either Shoaib Malik or Asif Ali at the top. Maqsood had a decent career for Pakistan with 781 runs in 28 ODIs and 273 runs in 26 T20Is. Asif Ali, on the other hand, is known for his big-hitting prowess and has a good record in T20s with 4737 runs in 302 matches with a strike rate of 147.82. Younis Khan, Pakistan’s 2009 T20 World Cup winner, will round off the top order.

Middle Order—Misbah-Ul Haq, Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi (C)

Misbah-ul-Haq will helm the middle order, even at the age of 51. His calmness and astute match awareness are needed for high-pressure games. Shoaib Malik, who is still active in T20 leagues, is the most experienced in the lot with 557 T20s and 13,571 runs with 83 fifties to his name. Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi will be the enforcer, and his reputation is already known.

Lower Order—Sarfaraz Ahmed (WK), Abdul Razzaq

Sarfaraz Ahmed is expected to be the wicketkeeper for Pakistan Champions, and he is a safe bet behind the stumps. He has a decent T20 record with over 4000 runs and a strike rate of 126.08. Abdul Razzaq’s dangerous batting and amazing bowling abilities will buoy the Pakistan Champions.

Bowlers: Sohail Tanvir, Wahab Riaz, Saeed Ajmal

Sohail Tanvir and Wahab Riaz will form the deadly pace combination for Pakistan. Tanvir has 388 wickets in T20s with a best of 6/14 and has also scored more than 2700 runs. Riaz has more than 400 wickets in the format and an economy of 7.54. Saeed Ajmal is expected to partner Shahid Afridi in the spin department. His 271 wickets in T20s override his controversial career.

Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

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