In the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025, Kamran Akmal, the 43-year-old wicketkeeper-batter, stunned everyone with his performance, rolling back the years with a scintillating century for Pakistan Champions against West Indies Champions. His blistering knock of 113 runs off just 62 balls not only helped Pakistan post an imposing total but also earned him the Player of the Match award. This came in as a match-defining century that saw Pakistan win the 49-run match over the West Indies to take them to the lead of the points table in the games.

Kamran Akmal Turns Back the Clock

Kamran Akmal’s performance in this match was nothing short of extraordinary. Although Akmal retired from professional cricket in 2023, his masterclass against the West Indies showed that age is just a number. Coming in at a crucial time when Pakistan’s openers had provided a solid start, Akmal unleashed a flurry of shots that reminded everyone of his golden days in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), where he had once scored a blistering century off just 48 balls.

Walking in with Sharjeel Khan at 21 off 14 balls, Akmal immediately took charge. His 62 runs were made in 62 balls with no less than 13 fours and 5 sixes and he showed perfect taste and strength. Akmal’s strike rate of 182.25 throughout the innings ensured that Pakistan maintained constant pressure on the West Indies bowlers. His half-century came off just 30 balls, and it took him only 26 more balls to reach his century. Such a precipitous progress toward three figures was something wonderful to look at.

Pakistan Champions Set an Imposing Total

Akmal made an outstanding century and this paved the way to an impressive 200/4 in 20 overs. Although partners kept falling by regular intervals, Akmal did stand firm and he steered Pakistan in the innings. He found steady support from Sohaib Maqsood (17 off 13), Mohammad Hafeez (23 off 18), and the late blitz from Asif Ali (10* off 10). The partnerships in the middle ensured that Pakistan reached a challenging target for the West Indies.

The bowlers of the West Indies found it really hard to get a breakthrough against the onslaught of Akmal. Such players as Dwayne Bravo and Ashley Nurse made several attempts to save the situation but failed to stop the flow of runs. The depth of batting featured with Akmal in Pakistan was enough to enable the team to come up with a huge score.

West Indies’ Struggle With the Chase

Chasing 201 runs, the West Indies Champions never really gained any momentum. The required run rate of just over 10 runs per over was always going to be a challenge, and the West Indies’ innings collapsed under pressure. Rumman Raees, Pakistan’s left-arm fast bowler, was the standout performer with the ball. He ripped through the West Indies’ top order with a sensational spell, finishing with figures of 3/4 in 3 overs. His strikes left West Indies reeling at 26/3, and from that point, their chase never really recovered.

Chris Gayle (5), Lendl Simmons (0), and Dwayne Smith (3) all fell cheaply, thanks to Raees’ brilliant bowling. Although Chadwick Walton (42 off 30) and William Perkins (30 off 26) provided brief resistance, they were unable to turn the tide. The middle order was stifled by Aamer Yamin (2/23) and Sohail Tanvir (2/24), and despite a valiant unbeaten 30 from Dwayne Bravo, the West Indies Champions could only manage 151/7 in their 20 overs, falling short by 49 runs.

The Turning Point: Raees’ Devastating Spell

Rumman Raees’ performance with the ball was a key turning point in the match. His early breakthroughs, dismissing Gayle, Simmons, and Smith, ensured that West Indies’ chase was in disarray right from the start. This was followed by disciplined bowling from Yamin and Tanvir, who both picked up two wickets each, further strangling the West Indies’ chances. The combination of tight bowling and regular wickets meant that the Windies had no chance of reaching the target.

Raees’ brilliance in the powerplay was the difference between the two sides. While Kamran Akmal century set the foundation for Pakistan’s victory, it was Raees’ spell that ensured West Indies had no chance of mounting a serious challenge. His figures of 3/4 in 3 overs were instrumental in turning the game in Pakistan’s favor.

The Aftermath: Pakistan Champions On Top

Pakistan’s 49-run victory over the West Indies Champions propelled them to the top of the WCL 2025 points table with seven points from four matches. The win reinforced their position as one of the most formidable teams in the tournament, with Kamran Akmal century being the highlight of the match.

For the West Indies, this was their third defeat in four matches, and their chances of progressing in the tournament were significantly diminished. Despite some promising individual performances, such as Walton’s 42 and Bravo’s late resistance, the West Indies failed to deliver as a team, especially with the bat. Their inability to chase down a modest total highlighted the struggles they have faced in the competition.

Conclusions

Kamran Akmal’s century against the West Indies will be remembered as a vintage performance, a perfect demonstration of power hitting combined with impeccable timing. At 43 years old, he showed that age had not dulled his skills and that his passion for the game still burned bright. His knock not only propelled Pakistan to victory but also made a statement that the legends of the game can still shine in the World Championship of Legends.

With the win, Pakistan Champions look poised to make a strong push for the title, while the West Indies Champions will need to regroup and address their weaknesses if they are to have any chance of advancing in the tournament. kamran Akmal’s century will go down as one of the standout performances in the WCL 2025, and it will be remembered for years to come.