WCL 2025 Final: Playing XI & Star Players to Watch

The stage is set at Edgbaston, Birmingham, on August 2, 2025, for the World Championship of Legends Final, featuring two star-studded teams in the battle for glory: Pakistan Champions vs South Africa Champions.

Pakistan Champions – Probable Final XI

The Pakistan Champions squad packs a blend of leadership, pace, spin, and power:

• Mohammad Hafeez (c)
   
• Shahid Afridi
   
• Younis Khan
   
• Shoaib Malik
   
• Sohaib Maqsood
   
• Misbah‑ul‑Haq
   
• Sharjeel Khan
   
• Sarfraz Ahmed
   
• Kamran Akmal
   
• Asif Ali
   
• Abdul Razzaq
   
• Wahab Riaz
   
• Sohail Tanvir
   
• Sohail Khan
   
• Aamer Yamin
   
• Rumman Raees
   
• Imad Wasim
   
• Fawad Alam
   

The XI facing South Africa in the final is expected to include:
Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez, Sarfraz Ahmed, Kamran Akmal (wk), Asif Ali, Abdul Razzaq, Wahab Riaz, Sohail Tanvir, Imad Wasim, and Rumman Raees.

Players Top of the Order

• Mohammad Hafeez (captain): Veteran all-rounder, tactician, and stabilizer.
   
• Shahid Afridi: Brings pace, spin and X-factor with huge cricketing aura.
   

Power in Depth

• Shoaib Malik, Misbah-ul-Haq: Classy experience in middle order.
   
• Asif Ali, Kamran Akmal: Known finishers who can shift the game's momentum late in innings.
   

Bowling Arsenal

• Wahab Riaz and Sohail Tanvir deliver crucial breakthroughs with seam and subtle variations.
   
• Imad Wasim provides control with left-arm spin, plus handy lower-order support.
   

South Africa Champions – Star-Studded Final XI

South Africa also feature a strong balance of bat, pace, spin, and finishing—namely:
AB de Villiers (c), Hashim Amla, Chris Morris, Albie Morkel, JP Duminy, Imran Tahir, Wayne Parnell, JJ Smuts, Hardus Viljoen, Richard Levi, Dane Vilas (wk), Sarel Erwee, Duanne Olivier, Morne van Wyk, Aaron Phangiso.

Key Stars to Watch

• AB de Villiers (Captain): Returning to vintage form with game-defining innings across WCL 2025, including a knock of 63 off 30 balls* against India Champions and multiple cameos showcasing impeccable timing and finish under pressure.
   
• Hashim Amla: Steady and composed, valuable at the top to set base against Pakistan’s attack.
   
• Chris Morris: Fearsome all-rounder with express pace and hard-hitting lower-order batting.
   
• JP Duminy: Elegant stroke-play and reliable off-spin provide middle-over balance.
   
• Imran Tahir: Veteran leg-spinner with match-winning variations, especially in spin-friendly moments later in the innings.
   
• Wayne Parnell, Hardus Viljoen, Duanne Olivier: A potent pace arsenal capable of exploiting any seam conditions and attacking the lower order.
   

Narrative & Team Strengths

Pakistan Champions

• Rely heavily on pace, tricky spin, and proven finishers like Razzaq, Kamran Akmal, and Asif Ali.
   
• Experience with big match pressure and a variety of match situations positions them strongly.
   

South Africa Champions

• Balance with AB de Villiers, Amla, and Duminy upfront.
   
• Match-winning options in Morris, Tahir, and pace duo make them multi-dimensional.
   
• Their route to the final included a stunning 1-run semifinal over Australia and consistently dominant performance—highlighting team form and temperament.
   

Star Player Table

Team	Player	Why Watch
Pakistan	Mohammad Hafeez	Captaincy, spin overs control, and finisher role
Pakistan	Shahid Afridi	Iconic power, pace and shock potential
Pakistan	Wahab Riaz	Cruising pace and wicket-taking capability
South Africa	AB de Villiers	Match-winning brilliance and consistent big scores
South Africa	Hashim Amla	Classic anchor of innings specialists
South Africa	Imran Tahir	Spin wicket-taking threat in middle and death overs
South Africa	Chris Morris	All-round depth in pace and big-hitting finishes

Final Word

The WCL 2025 final promises a nostalgic battle of cricketing legends at their best. Pakistan Champions aim to combine pace, spin, and finishing depth, while South Africa Champions bank on AB de Villiers’ brilliance, solid batting anchors, and all-round seam-spinners to underlie their challenge.

If Hafeez constructs innings under pressure, Afridi and Razzaq strike at crucial moments, and AB continues his vintage form, fans are in for a classic finish to WCL 2025. Whether you're tuning in for nostalgia or sheer cricketing entertainment, this final is set to deliver a star-powered crescendo.