Pakistan Legends beat World XI to lift UAE Friendship Cup

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Pakistan Legends beat World XI by 14 runs to lift the first Friendship Cup – UAE, which was held under the patronage of Sheikh Faisal Bin Khalid Al Qassimi and was sanctioned by Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) on Monday.

Pakistan Legends piled up 133 for five in their stipulated 10 overs, powered by Salman Butt’s 45 off 20 balls and Mohammad Sami’s 36 off 10 balls. In response, World XI started off well, despite Asghar Afghan’s early exit.

Phil Mustard with 50 off 21 balls and Tillakratne Dilshan with 34 off 16 balls looked dangerous after putting up a 78-run partnership and looked like they were in a hurry. A few quick wickets in the following overs due to good bowling by Mohammad Irfan took the game out of World XI’s hands.

With this, the three-day star-studded Friendship Cup - UAE 2022, that features cricket legends including former Indian Cricket Captain Mohammad Azharuddin, Bollywood star Suniel Shetty, former Pakistani cricket sensation Imran Nazir and Sri Lankan star cricketer Ajantha Mendis came to an end. However, this is more likely to be the end of a new beginning for Friendship Cup, that could become an annual fixture in the global cricketing schedule.

Earlier, Pakistan Legends defeated India Legends by 8 wickets to seal a place in the finals in the star-studded three-day cricketing extravaganza that saw some of the cricketing legends re-enter the pitch with ball and bat, years after their retirement.

Pakistan Legends finished the game scoring 111 for 111 for 2 with five balls to spare, in response to India Legends’ 107 for three, in which Mohammad Asaduddin scored 45 runs. Salman Butt top scored with 65 off 30 balls with a strong support from Yasir Hameed who scored 29 off 18 balls. After putting up a 92-run partnership, Yasir Hameed bowed out. 

Cricket lovers across the world got to watch the cricketing legends – who created world records and historic milestones in cricket – playing in seven matches from March 5-7, 2022. In the three-day Friendship Cup - UAE, a total of 1,530 runs were scored in just 7 matches, with an average of 218 runs per match, or 1.8 runs per ball – one of the highest run-per-ball ratio in cricket.

The Friendship Cup - UAE that brought both cricket and Bollywood fans together as top Bollywood stars went head-to-head with cricket legends at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, the matches were broadcast LIVE on SONY SIX & SONY SIX HD channels.

The presentation ceremony was attended by Sheikh Faisal handed over the Friendship Cup to the champions Pakistan Legends, flanked by a number of dignitaries, including, General Mahesh Senanayake, former Chief of Army Staff of Sri Lanka, Aarefa Saleh Al Falahi, Member of Board of Director RAK chamber, Engineer Aliya Al Kindi, Dr Bu Abdulla, Hamad N Al Hammadi and Head of Organisation Committee, Husaifa Ibrahim.