Mohammad Hafeez confident to lead Pakistan Champions in WCL 2025

Pakistan Champions captain Mohammad Hafeez has expressed his excitement and determination ahead of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025, which kicks off on Friday, July 18.

Speaking at Birmingham Airport upon the team's arrival, Hafeez said leading Pakistan Champions gives him a new kind of pride, adding that he hopes to deliver strong performances.

“Always proud to represent Pakistan, and this time, a different feeling, but hopefully we will do the same things. We’ll do well,” Hafeez said.

The squad was welcomed in Birmingham with head coach Arshad Khan, franchise owner Kamil Khan, and former teammate Saeed Ajmal. 

Although Ajmal is not part of the playing squad, he is expected to take on coaching responsibilities, as he was seen discussing coaching duties with Rumman Raees in a video shared by the team.

Hafeez, who previously captained the Pakistan national team in 32 matches, will now lead a squad full of experienced names, including Shoaib Malik, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shahid Afridi, Imad Wasim, and Wahab Riaz.

Pakistan Champions were the runners-up in the first edition of the tournament and will open their 2025 campaign against England Champions on July 18. Their second match will be a high-profile clash against defending champions India Champions on July 20.

Pakistan Champions squad for WCL 2025:

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, Imad Wasim, and Sohail Khan.

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)