In a surprise last-minute reshuffle, former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has been replaced in the Pakistan Champions squad for the 2025 edition of the World Championship of Legends (WCL), with veteran wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal named as his replacement.
The squad announcement came just hours before Pakistan Champions’ much-anticipated opening match against England Champions, sending ripples through local cricketing circles. Team owner Kamil Khan confirmed the final 15-member list just hours before the first game, with Sarfaraz Ahmed’s name omitted.
Sarfaraz Ahmed, who was officially unveiled as part of the squad earlier this year, had featured prominently in promotional material and was touted to bring “his winning mentality” to the side. A January video posted by the franchise hailed him as “CAPTAIN. LEADER. LEGEND!” and celebrated his inclusion for the second season of the tournament.
However, his name was notably absent when the final squad was released on match day.
While no official explanation has been provided for Sarfaraz Ahmed’s omission, team insiders suggest the change was made due to strategic considerations and team balance, with Kamran Akmal’s recent form in legends cricket playing a role.
| Mohammad Hafeez (captain) | Shahid Afridi | Shoaib Malik | Kamran Akmal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharjeel Khan | Fawad Alam | Imad Wasim | Wahab Riaz |
| Sohail Tanvir | Asif Ali | Sohaib Maqsood | Umar Amin |
| Rumman Raees | Amir Yamin | Sohail Khan |
While Kamran Akmal failed to contribute meaningful runs in Pakistan’s opening game, last year’s finalists still pulled off a five-run win over England. The team is scheduled to face India tomorrow in their next encounter without the revered Sarfaraz Ahmed.