World Championship of Legends
International T20 cricket tournament for retired players
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The World Championship of Legends (WCL) is an international Twenty20 cricket tournament featuring retired international cricketers, commonly referred to as "legends". The competition brings together former players from major cricketing nations to compete in a franchise-style tournament representing their countries. The tournament was first held in 2024 and has been staged annually since.
| Administrator | World Championship of Legends |
|---|---|
| Format | Twenty20 |
| First edition | 2024 |
| Latest edition | 2025 |
| Tournament format | Round-robin and knockouts |
| Number of teams | 6 |
| Current champion | South Africa Champions (2025) |
| Most successful | South Africa Champions (1 title) |
History
The World Championship of Legends was launched with the aim of providing a competitive platform for retired international cricketers while offering fans an opportunity to watch former stars return to the field. The tournament gained early attention due to the participation of high-profile former players from countries such as India, Pakistan, Australia, England, South Africa and the West Indies.[1]
Format
The tournament is played in the Twenty20 format. Each participating nation fields a team named "[Country] Champions", composed of retired international players. The competition follows a round-robin league stage, after which the top teams advance to the knockout rounds, culminating in a final.[2]
Teams
As of the 2025 edition, the following teams have participated in the World Championship of Legends:
- India Champions
- Pakistan Champions
- Australia Champions
- England Champions
- South Africa Champions
- West Indies Champions[3]
Tournament history
| Year | Host country | Winner | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | England | India Champions | Pakistan Champions |
| 2025 | England | South Africa Champions | Pakistan Champions |
2025 World Championship of Legends
The 2025 World Championship of Legends was held in England from 18 July to 2 August 2025. Matches were played at venues including Edgbaston (Birmingham), Headingley (Leeds), County Ground (Northampton) and Grace Road (Leicester).[4]
Final
The final was played at Edgbaston, Birmingham, where South Africa Champions defeated Pakistan Champions by nine wickets to win their first WCL title. AB de Villiers scored an unbeaten century in the final.[5]
Controversies
During the 2025 edition, India Champions withdrew from their scheduled semifinal match against Pakistan Champions, citing external concerns. As a result, Pakistan Champions advanced to the final by walkover.[6]
Following the tournament, the Pakistan Cricket Board announced restrictions on Pakistani players participating in future editions of the competition.[7]
Media coverage
The tournament has been broadcast internationally through television and digital streaming platforms, with coverage focusing on both match results and the return of retired cricket stars to competitive play.
See also
- Legends League Cricket
- Road Safety World Series