Key player earns surprise call-up to Pakistan Champions squad for WCL 2025

Middle-order batter Umar Amin is set to make his first appearance for Pakistan Champions in the 2025 World Championship of Legends (WCL), starting July 18.

The team confirmed his inclusion through a social media post, captioned: "2 days to go… and the squad is heating up 🦁

Umar Amin is locked in — elegance, power, and class all in one frame.

The energy’s shifting. The roar is rising. Season 2 is nearly here. How ready are you for what’s coming? 😎"

The team will kick off their tournament against England Champions on July 18 at Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham.

Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez will take charge of the side for the first time, replacing Younis Khan, who featured in last year’s squad but has been left out this time, along with Misbah-ul-Haq.

Other new faces in the squad include wicketkeeper batter Sarfaraz Ahmed and left-arm pacer Rumman Raees. Veteran players like Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi, Sharjeel Khan, Wahab Riaz, and Sohail Tanvir have retained their spots.

The team’s schedule was confirmed through a social media post featuring the tournament schedule and squad photos. 

The caption read: "The map is set. The missions are locked. And Pakistan Champions are marching to conquer. Mark your calendars, pick your battle, rally your squad."

Pakistan Champions had a strong run in the inaugural WCL. They began with wins against Australia and West Indies and posted a massive 243/4 against India, winning that game by 68 runs. Led by Younis Khan, they also defeated England and qualified for the semi-finals, where they beat West Indies again. However, they lost to India in the final, falling short by five wickets.

The 2025 edition of the WCL will once again feature retired cricket stars from six countries — Pakistan, India, Australia, England, South Africa, and the West Indies. A major highlight of the league stage will be the India vs Pakistan clash on July 20 at Edgbaston.

Pakistan Champions squad:

Mohammad Hafeez (captain), Shoaib Malik, Sohaib Maqsood, Umar Amin, Sharjeel Khan, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicketkeeper), Shahid Afridi, Asif Ali, Aamer Yamin, Wahab Riaz, Rumman Raees, Sohail Tanvir, Sohail Khan.