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Experienced pacer added to Pakistan Champions squad for WCL 2025

The 33-year-old has played 120 T20s, taking 131 wickets at an average of 24.61 and an economy of 7.53

Experienced pacer added to Pakistan Champions squad for WCL 2025 PHOTO: X

Experienced left-arm pacer Rumman Raees has been added to the Pakistan Champions squad for the upcoming World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025, which is set to begin later this month in the United Kingdom.

The inclusion was confirmed on Sunday after Rumman shared a nostalgic tweet referring to Pakistan’s 2017 Champions Trophy-winning squad.

"Hafeez bhai, Shoaib bhai, Maddy, Wahab bhai aur Saifi bhai – if all the Champions Trophy 2017 guys are back together, then should I get my kit bag ready too?" he wrote on social media platform X. 

Responding to this playful post, Pakistan Champions officially announced his inclusion through their social media, saying: "Aajao Dost!! Team owner Kamil Khan welcomes Rumman Raees to the Pakistan Champions family 🤝🇵🇰 Let’s bring more fire to the roar 💚"

The 33-year-old brings a wealth of T20 experience, having played 120 matches in the format and taken 131 wickets at an average of 24.61 with an economy rate of 7.53. In eight T20Is for Pakistan, he claimed 8 wickets at an economy of 7.63.

Earlier this week, Pakistan Champions appointed former all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez as their new captain for WCL 2025. The tournament features cricket stars from six nations — Pakistan, India, Australia, England, South Africa, and the West Indies.

The tournament kicks off on July 18, with Pakistan Champions set to face England Champions at Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham. The much-awaited clash between Pakistan and India Champions will take place on July 20 at the same venue.

Confirmed Pakistan Champions players for WCL Season 2:

Mohammad Hafeez (captain), Rumman Raees, Imad Wasim, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Sharjeel Khan, Wahab Riaz, Asif Ali, Kamran Akmal, Aamer Yamin, Sohail Khan, and Sohail Tanvir.

WCL 2025 complete schedule:

League Stage

  • July 18 (Friday): England Champions vs Pakistan Champions
  • July 19 (Saturday): West Indies Champions vs South Africa Champions
  • July 19 (Saturday): England Champions vs Australia Champions
  • July 20 (Sunday): India Champions vs Pakistan Champions
  • July 22 (Tuesday): England Champions vs West Indies Champions
  • July 22 (Tuesday): India Champions vs South Africa Champions
  • July 23 (Wednesday): Australia Champions vs West Indies Champions
  • July 24 (Thursday): South Africa Champions vs England Champions
  • July 25 (Friday): Pakistan Champions vs South Africa Champions
  • July 26 (Saturday): India Champions vs Australia Champions
  • July 26 (Saturday): Pakistan Champions vs West Indies Champions
  • July 27 (Sunday): South Africa Champions vs Australia Champions
  • July 27 (Sunday): India Champions vs England Champions
  • July 29 (Tuesday): Australia Champions vs Pakistan Champions
  • July 29 (Tuesday): India Champions vs West Indies Champions

Knockout Stage

  • July 31 (Thursday): Semi-final 1 – SF1 vs SF4 (Edgbaston, Birmingham)
  • July 31 (Thursday): Semi-final 2 – SF2 vs SF3 (Edgbaston, Birmingham)
  • August 2 (Saturday): Final (Edgbaston, Birmingham)