Pakistan National Cricket Team vs England Cricket Team Match Scorecard: Thrilling 5-Run Victory in World Championship of Legends 2025 Opener
The rivalry between the Pakistan national cricket team and England cricket team has always been a spectacle, blending fiery pace battles, tactical genius, and unforgettable drama. On July 18, 2025, at Edgbaston in Birmingham, this storied clash took a nostalgic turn in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025. Former stars from both sides, now donning “Champions” badges, lit up the field in a T20 thriller that went down to the wire. Pakistan Champions edged out England Champions by a mere 5 runs, defending a modest total of 160/9 in a match that showcased why these two nations produce some of cricket’s most electric encounters.
For fans searching for the Pakistan vs England cricket match scorecard, this game delivered edge-of-your-seat action. Mohammad Hafeez’s gritty half-century proved decisive, earning him Player of the Match honors. Below, we’ll dive into the full scorecard, key highlights, standout performances, and what this means for the series ahead. Whether you’re a die-hard Pakistani supporter or an England loyalist, this breakdown has you covered.
Pre-Match Buzz: Legends Return to the Pitch
The World Championship of Legends brings back cricket icons from the 2000s and 2010s, giving retired players a chance to relive their glory days. England, hosting the tournament, entered as favorites with home advantage and a lineup boasting Ian Bell, Kevin Pietersen, and pace duo Liam Plunkett and Chris Tremlett. Pakistan, led by the evergreen Misbah-ul-Haq, countered with explosive talents like Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal, and the Professor himself, Mohammad Hafeez.
The atmosphere at Edgbaston was electric, with Pakistani musical sensation Atif Aslam kicking off proceedings with a soul-stirring performance. Expectations were sky-high after Pakistan’s strong showing in the previous WCL edition, but England’s white-ball pedigree made this opener a must-watch. Little did fans know, it would become a nail-biter etched in legend.
Full Match Scorecard: Pakistan Champions vs England Champions, 1st Match, WCL 2025
Pakistan Champions Innings (20 Overs)
Pakistan’s batting lineup started cautiously on a pitch offering early seam movement but accelerated in the death overs. Here’s the detailed Pakistan national cricket team vs England cricket team scorecard for the first innings:
| Batsman | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kamran Akmal (wk) | c Mustard b Plunkett | 12 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 120.00 |
| Mohammad Hafeez | c Bell b Tremlett | 54 | 34 | 5 | 2 | 158.82 |
| Younis Khan | lbw b Pietersen | 18 | 16 | 2 | 0 | 112.50 |
| Misbah-ul-Haq (c) | run out (Plunkett/Mustard) | 22 | 20 | 1 | 1 | 110.00 |
| Shahid Afridi | b Broad | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 114.29 |
| Abdul Razzaq | c Trott b Plunkett | 15 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 125.00 |
| Aamer Yamin | not out | 27 | 13 | 2 | 2 | 207.69 |
| Umar Gul | c Pietersen b Tremlett | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Sohail Tanvir | run out (Bell) | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Saeed Ajmal | b Broad | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Mohammad Irfan | not out | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – |
| Extras | (lb 1, w 2) | 3 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | (9 wickets, 20 overs) | 160/9 | – | – | – | 8.00 rr |
Fall of Wickets: 20-1 (Akmal, 3.2 ov), 58-2 (Khan, 8.1 ov), 85-3 (Hafeez, 12.4 ov), 95-4 (Afridi, 13.5 ov), 110-5 (Misbah, 15.3 ov), 125-6 (Razzaq, 17.1 ov), 125-7 (Gul, 17.2 ov), 152-8 (Tanvir, 19.3 ov), 152-9 (Ajmal, 19.4 ov)
Bowling for England Champions:
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Anderson | 4 | 0 | 28 | 0 | 7.00 |
| Liam Plunkett | 4 | 0 | 25 | 2 | 6.25 |
| Chris Tremlett | 4 | 0 | 32 | 2 | 8.00 |
| Stuart Broad | 4 | 0 | 35 | 2 | 8.75 |
| Kevin Pietersen | 2 | 0 | 18 | 1 | 9.00 |
| Jonathan Trott | 2 | 0 | 21 | 0 | 10.50 |
Hafeez anchored the innings with elegant strokeplay, while Yamin’s late fireworks— including two massive sixes—pushed the total to a defendable score. England’s bowlers, led by Plunkett and Tremlett’s swing, kept things tight, but Pakistan’s lower order showed resilience.
England Champions Innings (Target: 161 in 20 Overs)
Chasing 161, England started strongly with an opening stand, but Pakistan’s spinners and pacers struck at crucial junctures. The chase faltered in the final overs, with run-outs sealing England’s fate. Full England cricket team vs Pakistan national cricket team scorecard:
| Batsman | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phil Mustard (wk) | c Akmal b Gul | 58 | 42 | 6 | 2 | 138.10 |
| Jonathan Trott | lbw b Ajmal | 12 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 120.00 |
| Ian Bell | not out | 51 | 38 | 4 | 1 | 134.21 |
| Kevin Pietersen | c Misbah b Afridi | 14 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 175.00 |
| Eoin Morgan | run out (Yamin/Hafeez) | 9 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 150.00 |
| Jos Buttler | not out | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 166.67 |
| Extras | (lb 3, w 3) | 6 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | (3 wickets, 20 overs) | 155/3 | – | – | – | 7.75 rr |
Fall of Wickets: 25-1 (Trott, 4.1 ov), 110-2 (Mustard, 15.2 ov), 142-3 (Pietersen, 18.1 ov)
Did Not Bat: Stuart Broad, Liam Plunkett, Chris Tremlett, James Anderson
Bowling for Pakistan Champions:
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammad Irfan | 4 | 0 | 30 | 0 | 7.50 |
| Umar Gul | 4 | 0 | 28 | 1 | 7.00 |
| Sohail Tanvir | 4 | 0 | 35 | 0 | 8.75 |
| Saeed Ajmal | 4 | 1 | 25 | 1 | 6.25 |
| Shahid Afridi | 2 | 0 | 18 | 1 | 9.00 |
| Abdul Razzaq | 2 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 8.50 |
England needed 9 off the last over but managed only 3, thanks to Gul’s composure under pressure. Bell’s unbeaten knock was a masterclass in rotation, but the early loss of Trott and Mustard’s dismissal shifted momentum.
Match Highlights: Key Moments That Defined the Thriller
- Hafeez’s Masterclass (8th-12th Over): Dropped on 20, Hafeez capitalized with a mix of lofts and cuts, racing to his fifty. His 54 off 34 set the tone, pulling Pakistan from 20/1 to 85/2.
- Yamin’s Death-Over Heroics: With 10 needed off 12 balls, Yamin unleashed 27* off 13, including back-to-back sixes off Broad. His strike rate of 207.69 turned a par score into a challenging one.
- Mustard-Bell Partnership (50 in 40 Balls): England’s openers threatened a cruise, with Mustard’s aggressive 58 featuring a pulled six off Irfan. But Ajmal’s doosra broke the stand.
- Afridi’s Boom-Boom Magic: The comeback king struck with his leg-spin, castling Pietersen for 14. It was a reminder of why “Boom Boom” remains a fan favorite.
- Final Over Drama: Gul defended 9 runs, conceding just a single and a wide before run-outs panicked England. Edgbaston’s roar as Pakistan won by 5 runs will echo for years.
This Pakistan vs England scorecard from the WCL 2025 opener wasn’t just stats— it was a celebration of cricket’s timeless appeal.
Standout Performers: Stars of the Show
- Mohammad Hafeez (Pakistan) – Player of the Match: Beyond his 54, Hafeez’s sharp fielding and captaincy shone. At 44, he proved experience trumps youth.
- Aamer Yamin (Pakistan): The all-rounder’s unbeaten 27 rescued the innings, while his run-out of Morgan turned the game.
- Ian Bell (England): Elegant as ever, his 51* off 38 kept England alive. A lesson in class under pressure.
- Liam Plunkett & Chris Tremlett (England): Their 2-25 and 2-32 restricted Pakistan, evoking memories of England’s 2010s dominance.
Pakistan’s bowlers adapted brilliantly to English conditions, while England’s batsmen fell short on finishing.
What This Means for the Rivalry and Beyond
This victory gives Pakistan Champions momentum in WCL 2025 Group A, setting up intriguing clashes with India and South Africa Champions (who advanced after India’s semi-final forfeiture due to political tensions). For the full Pakistan national cricket team, it bodes well ahead of their packed 2025-26 schedule, including the ICC Champions Trophy at home and a three-Test tour of England in August 2026.
The England cricket team vs Pakistan scorecard rivalry, with 29 bilateral Test series since 1954, continues to evolve. England’s last tour of Pakistan in October 2024 saw high-scoring draws, but this legends clash reminds us: in cricket, legends never truly retire.
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Match details sourced from official WCL 2025 reports. All stats accurate as of July 18, 2025.