India set up final against Pakistan in World Championship of Legends – Times of India

Archrivals India and Pakistan will meet in the final of the World Championship of Legends after the two teams won their respective semi-final on Friday at Northampton.

While Pakistan defeated West Indies in the first semifinal by 20 runs, India triumphed over Australia in the second match of the last-four stage with a massive 86-run victory.

The final is scheduled for Saturday at Birmingham, beginning 9:30 pm IST.

Pakistan thwarted Windies’ comeback
Pakistan had to thank their captain Younis Khan and opener Kamran Akmal for their 79-run stand for the fourth wicket after a top-order collapse.

Sharjeel Khan (0), Sohaib Maqsood (1) and Shoaib Malik (0) departed cheaply to leave Pakistan struggling at 10 for 3. But Akmal held one end up before getting out for a counter-attacking 46 off 31 balls.

Younis too didn’t let the loose balls go unpunished but saw two fellow former Pakistan captains Shahid Afridi (1) and Misbah-ul-Haq (o) walking back to the pavilion in quick succession.

It was then left to Younis to once again steady the ship and he found able support from Aamer Yamin lower down the order as the duo added crucial 34 runs before Younis fell for a 45-ball 65 to pacer Fidel Edwards, who was the pick of the West Indies bowling with figures of 3 for 24.

Left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn also bowled appreciably, claiming 2 wickets of 26 runs.

But the Windies bowling came in for some punishment from tailenders Yamin and Sohail Tanvir as both used the long handle to good effect in a quickfire 61-run partnership for the 8th wicket.

Yamin remained not out at 40 off 18 balls, while Tanvir smased 33 off 17 to lead their team to a healthy total of 198 for 8.

In chase, West Indies top order of Dwayne Smith, Chris Gayle and Chadwick Walton failed to get going despite getting their eye in and departed for 26, 22 and 19 respectively.

Sohaib Maqsood (4 for 21) struck twice with the new ball to check the Windies and their run-rate, which never took off.

Ashley Nurse (36 off 24) then held the middle order for a while but was run out by Akmal as Jason Mohammed (7) and captain Darren Sammy (10) also departed without contributing much.

Rayad Emrit played a cameo of 29 off 9 balls, but it went in vain as the Windies’ innings folded up for 178 in 19.5 overs.

Wahab Riaz (2 for 35) and Malik (2 for 26) were the other wicket-takers for Pakistan.