England Champions (EDC) and Pakistan Champions (PNC) will lock horns in the thrilling opening match of the World Championship of Legends 2025 on 18 July at 9:00 PM IST at Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham. Spectators will be expecting a tight and thrilling match at the start of the tournament as two big teams will clash.
The tournament will see some of the biggest names in international cricket playing, and even though these players have retired from international cricket, their hunger for scoring runs in the field has not diminished yet. With legends like Moeen Ali, Shahid Afridi, Younis Khan and Wahab Riaz playing in the first match, spectators will be expecting nostalgia and players performing like before.
Match Details:
- Match: England Champions vs Pakistan Champions, WCL 2025 – Match 1
- Date: July 18, 2025
- Time: 9:00 PM IST | 3:30 PM GMT
- Venue: Edgbaston, Birmingham
- Broadcast: Star Sports Network & FanCode
Edgbaston Pitch Report – What to expect
The Edgbaston pitch is expected to favour both batsmen and bowlers equally. Fast bowlers are expected to get some movement early on, especially under lights. As the match progresses, spinners will also come into play, which could prove to be beneficial for bowlers like Moeen Ali or Imad Wasim.
However, teams chasing targets have historically performed well on this ground, and the weather is expected to be dry during the match, so both captains would prefer to bowl first.
- Weather: Balanced
- Average first innings score: 180 -190
- Advantage of toss: Bowl first under lights
- Weather: Chance of light rain, temperature around 23°C
Head-to-Head: EDC vs PNC
- Matches Played: 1
- EDC Wins: 0
- PNC Wins: 1
- Last Meeting: Pakistan Champions won by 79 runs (WCL 2024)
After a very good victory in the last season, Pakistan’s champions have a good chance to perform well in this match as well and win this match.
Team Form
• The England Champions had a poor 2024 campaign, finishing fifth with just 1 win out of 5 matches.
• On the other hand, Pakistan Champions performed consistently well, winning 4 out of 5 matches and making it to the final before losing to India.
This difference in form and rhythm makes PNC the favourites in the first match. Predicted Playing XI
England Champions (EDC):
Alastair Cook, Ian Bell, Moeen Ali, Eoin Morgan (c), Phil Mustard (wk), Ravi Bopara, Samit Patel, Liam Plunkett, Ryan Sidebottom, Chris Tremlett, Stuart Meaker
Pakistan Champions (PNC):
Shoaib Maqsood, Asif Ali, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi (c), Kamran Akmal (wk), Abdul Razzaq, Sohail Tanvir, Wahab Riaz, Saeed Ajmal
Key players to watch
Moeen Ali (EDC)
He continues to be England’s best player, capable of bowling in the opening overs as well as making big scores in the middle overs with his batting. A solid all-rounder and a good choice as Dream11 team captain.
Ian Bell (EDC)
Bell was the leading run-scorer last season with 230 runs. And his excellent stroke play can be crucial at the top of the order.
Wahab Riaz (PNC)
Last year’s leading wicket-taker, Wahab’s pace and variations in his bowling in the death overs make him a special bowler. He can be expected to lead the bowling attack again.
Asif Ali (PNC)
Asif is an aggressive middle-order batsman who loves to play in the last few overs. If he gets set, he can make a big difference.
Dream11 Team & Prediction – EDC vs PNC
Small League
Grand Leauge
• Wicketkeeper: Phil Mustard – aggressive in powerplay, value pick
Top Picks:
• Batsmen: Ian Bell, Eoin Morgan, Asif Ali
• All-rounders: Moeen Ali (captain), Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Hafeez (vice-captain), Imad Wasim
• Bowlers: Wahab Riaz, Liam Plunkett, Sohail Tanvir
Dream11 Captain/Vice-Captain Choices:
- Option 1:
- Captain: Moeen Ali
- Vice-Captain: Mohammad Hafeez
- Option 2:
- Captain: Asif Ali
- Vice-Captain: Eoin Morgan
Dream11 Backup Players:
- Ravi Bopara – can offer handy overs and middle-order runs
- Shoaib Malik – reliable and experienced in T20s
- Samit Patel – if pitch turns, could be a difference-maker
England vs Pakistan Champions – Who has the edge?
Pakistan Champions look like a properly balanced team, considering their team’s good performance in the last season. They have good finishers, excellent bowlers, and experienced players who perform well under pressure.
However, England Champions will be playing at home and have legends like Morgan, Moeen, and Bell, who have the ability to change the course of the match. But with the lack of wins recently and weak bowling, they will be missing a strong all-rounder.
Match Prediction: Who Will Win?
- Toss Prediction: Pakistan to win and bowl first
- Powerplay Score: 45–50
- 1st Innings Total: Around 150–160
- Likely Winner: Pakistan Champions
Betting Insights & Strategy
- Better Opening Stand: Pakistan (based on last season’s H2H)
- Player to score most runs: Ian Bell or Younis Khan
- Top Wicket-Taker: Wahab Riaz
- X-Factor: Moeen Ali – bat + ball + Edgbaston familiarity
Final Words
The first match of WCL 2025 will be a must watch for legends. England will look to make a fresh start after last year’s poor performance, while Pakistan will look to continue their winning streak in 2024. Both teams are expected to have a great match for cricket and legends, so fans can expect a great match.
Let’s see which team starts their season with a win in WCL 2025
Also Read- The most educated cricketer in India- Top 12 Indian Players List
