On a tense Sunday evening at the UAE’s iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Caribbean cricket folklore added another shining chapter, as the West Indies Champions franchise lifted the trophy for the third edition of the World Championship of Legends (WCL), marking the franchise’s first ever title win in the tournament. A showcase for retired and veteran professional cricketers, the WCL’s T20 format brings together privately owned franchise teams branded with national names to compete on the Gulf’s well-known cricket grounds.
Stepping onto the pitch in their signature maroon uniforms, the West Indies side boasted a roster stacked with household names from the region’s celebrated 2012 and 2016 ICC T20 World Cup-winning squads, drawing crowds of nostalgic cricket fans eager to see their old heroes back in action. Leading the side as captain was the larger-than-life global cricket star Chris Gayle, who won the pre-match coin toss and made the tactical call to send England Champions in to bat first.
The West Indies bowling attack delivered a disciplined, tight performance that kept England’s run rate in check for most of their innings. Former West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo, one of the most decorated T20 bowlers in the sport’s history, turned in a standout spell, finishing with three wickets for just 21 runs off his four overs. Every single bowler the West Indies sent to the crease walked away with at least one wicket, capping a dominant all-around bowling display.
Despite the pressure, England’s side put up a competitive total, driven by aggressive batting from active professional star Moeen Ali, who smashed 60 runs off only 39 deliveries, and former international Owais Shah, who chipped in with a quick 38 runs off 29 balls. When the overs ran out, England had posted 159 runs for the loss of seven wickets, leaving the West Indies Champions needing 160 runs to claim the title.
The West Indies chase got off to a solid start before Gayle was dismissed for 21 runs, leaving the side in need of a steady partnership to get across the finish line. That’s exactly what they got from Trinidadian opener Lendl Simmons and wicketkeeper-batsman Chadwick Walton. The pair put together an unbroken 123-run stand, with Simmons finishing not out on 77 and Walton hitting an unbeaten 58. The partnership carried the maroon-clad side across the line without further loss, securing the historic first WCL title for the West Indies Champions franchise.