The International Masters League (IML) 2025 is set to bring an electrifying wave of nostalgia and excitement as it unveils the India Masters and Sri Lanka Masters squads, both of whom comprise cricketing greats who once dominated and decorated the international stage. With the tournament scheduled from February 22 to March 16, 2025, fans will witness the revival of cricket’s golden era. Indian cricket fans are in for a treat as Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar returns to lead the India Masters. The squad is a formidable mix of elegance, power, and match-winning prowess, featuring some of the most celebrated names of the 2000s and 2010s.

Batting brilliance returns with Yuvraj Singh, the hero of the T20 World Cup in 2007 and fifty-over World Cup in 2011, alongside Suresh Raina and Ambati Rayudu, who thrilled fans with their fearless stroke-play. The Pathan brothers, Irfan and Yusuf, will display their explosive all-round skills, while Naman Ojha will take charge behind the stumps, as per a press release from IML.

The bowling attack comprises seasoned match-winners, with Vinay Kumar and Dhawal Kulkarni leading the pace attack. Players like Stuart Binny, Shahbaz Nadeem, Rahul Sharma, Pawan Negi, Gurkeerat Singh Mann, and Abhimanyu Mithun make this a well-rounded squad, which is ready to reignite past rivalries and produce exhilarating cricket.

Speaking about playing in the inaugural edition of the International Masters League, Irfan Pathan said, “The International Masters League is a tournament that pays tribute to cricket’s golden age. I am thrilled to represent India Masters in Season 1 of the league, and play alongside Sachin Tendulkar, the maestro, and other colleagues, with whom I shared many happy and precious moments in the past. We are hosting the IML, but I can assure cricket fans that we will not be generous on the field. We will produce tough cricket and do our best to win the title.”

Yusuf Pathan added: “Irfan and I were members of the Indian team that won the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007. Memories of that tournament will be rekindled in the days and weeks to follow, as we will take the field for India Masters in the inaugural season of the International Masters League. As had been the case in 2007, we will give it everything on the field and do whatever we can to win the tournament.”

The Sri Lanka Masters, led by Kumar Sangakkara, promise a masterclass in skill and experience. An ambassador of the game, Sangakkara was a two-time fifty-over World Cup finalist in 2007 and 2011 respectively, and a T20 World Cup winner in 2014. He will be joined by Romesh Kaluwitharana, the swashbuckling opener-keeper from Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup-winning squad.

The batting line-up features Upul Tharanga, Lahiru Thirimanne, and Chinthaka Jayasinghe, known for their reliability under pressure. Ashan Priyanjan and Asela Gunaratne bring in stability, while the bowling attack is spearheaded by pacers Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, and Dhammika Prasad. All-round firepower comes from Seekkuge Prasanna, Jeevan Mendis, Dilruwan Perera, Chaturanga de Silva, and Isuru Udana, making Sri Lanka a well-balanced force in IML 2025.

The IML is a celebration of cricket’s greatest icons, bringing Masters from India, Sri Lanka, England, Australia, West Indies, and South Africa back onto the field. The league is set to unveil the squads of the rest of the teams in the coming days.

File photo from an India vs Pakistan cricket match© AFP

Former India batter Yusuf Pathan and England spinner Monty Panesar engaged in some friendly banter during a Legends League Cricket (LLC) match between Konark Suryas Odisha and Toyam Hyderabad. The two – once regular players for their respective nations at senior level – have now been battling it out during LLC. However, as Yusuf – playing for Konark Suryas Odisha – laboured to a knock of 7 runs in 18 balls, Panesar, who is of Indian descent, was caught by cameras mouthing to Yusuf on whether he was playing a Test match.

“Are you playing a Test match,” Toyam Hyderabad’s Panesar could be seen saying to Yusuf. With Yusuf not looking pleased with the comment, Panesar seemed to repeat his words again.

This time Yusuf did not hold back, responding with some banter of his own.

“How many Test wickets do you have?” shouted back Yusuf to Panesar.

Two legends spicing up a contest with some good ol’ banter!

Total entertainment from Monty Panesar and Yusuf Pathan #LLCT20onFanCode pic.twitter.com/OlbJ7cGFcb

— FanCode (@FanCode) October 6, 2024

One of the most explosive Indian players of his generation, Yusuf boasts an ODI strike rate of 113 and a T20I strike rate of 146. Yusuf even won the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup in India colours.

However, coming in to bat at a surprisingly low no. 8 position, he could not accelerate during this game. He fell for 7 off 18 balls, shortly after the altercation with Panesar.

On the other hand, Panesar enjoyed a quietly successful Test career for England. A left-arm off-spinner, Panesar played 50 Tests for England, picking up 167 wickets. Panesar enjoyed one of his career highlights in India in 2012, picking up 17 wickets in three Tests as England beat India 2-1 in India. The series remains India’s last home Test series loss till date.

In the LLC game, Konark Suryas Odisha notched up a total of just 100 in 20 overs. Toyam Hyderabad were able to chase it down with 10 balls to spare, thanks largely to a fifty by Gurkeerat Singh Mann.

Panesar ended with figures of 1/13 in 4 overs.

Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan, setting up sibling relationship goals, posted a hilarious meme on his mix-up and verbal spat with his brother Yusuf Pathan during the World Championship of Legends (WCL) match against South Africa. Taking to Instagram, Pathan posted a video of him and Yusuf having a spat while attempting a run, with caption “Brothers when they are alone”. Later on came a scene of he and Yusuf sharing a hug, titled “Brothers in front of parents”. Poking fun at the nature of fights between siblings that are common within any household, Pathan wrote in the caption, “Brothers can you relate”.

South Africa Champions defeated India Champions while Australia Champions prevailed over West Indies Champions in the last two league games of the World Championship of Legends 2024 here at County Ground, Northampton on Wednesday.

With that, the league stage came to an end and the league finally has its four semi-finalists. Pakistan Champions will take on West Indies Champions in the first semi-final while the second will be played between Australia and India on Friday (July 12). The winners of the respective games will play the summit clash on July 13.

Riding upon blistering half-centuries from opener Jacques Synman and wicketkeeper Richard Levi, the South Africa Champions posted a total of 210/8 in 20 overs, and the bowlers restricted India to 156/6 in the allotted 20 overs to end their campaign on a winning note. Synman, who scored an unbeaten 82 against Pakistan in the previous game, once again showcased his batting prowess and blasted 73 off 43 balls (10x4s, 3x6s) to lay a solid foundation for his team.

Later, Levi smashed a 25-ball 60, with 5 sixes and as many boundaries, and helped his team dominate the middle overs. While the Indian bowlers did make a strong comeback in the death overs, they could not prevent the Proteas from posting a big total. Harbhajan Singh (4/25) was the pick of the bowlers for India as the Turbanator rolled back the clock with his off-spin bowling.

Indian openers failed to give their team a good start in the run chase and their top five were back in the dugout with just 77 runs on the board in 11.3 overs. Yusuf Pathan (54* off 44) and Irfan Pathan (35 off 21) shared a vital stand but could not help their side cross the finish line as the asking rate kept getting higher. India lost the game by 54 runs eventually.

India Champions vs Pakistan Champions Live Streaming, World Championship of Legends 2024 Live Telecast: India vs Pakistan transcends to another sphere of cricket, as India Champions, led by Yuvraj Singh, takes on Pakistan Champions in the World Championship of Legends 2024. India Champions, boasting star names like Yuvraj, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh and the Pathan brothers, have won both their opening games, and are on top of the WCL table. The likes of Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik and Misbah-ul-Haq headline the Pakistan team, who’re also unbeaten so far. The legends tournament has caught a lot of fanfare so far.

When will the India Champions vs Pakistan Champions, WCL 2024 match take place?

The India Champions vs Pakistan Champions, WCL 2024 match will take place on Saturday, July 6.

Where will the India Champions vs Pakistan Champions, WCL 2024 match be played?

The India Champions vs Pakistan Champions, WCL 2024 match will be played at Edgbaston, Birmingham.

What time will the India Champions vs Pakistan Champions, WCL 2024 match start?

The India Champions vs Pakistan Champions, WCL 2024 match will start at 9:00 PM IST.

Which TV channels will telecast the India Champions vs Pakistan Champions, WCL 2024 match?

The India Champions vs Pakistan Champions, WCL 2024 match will be telecast on the Star Sports Network.

Where to follow the live streaming of the India Champions vs Pakistan Champions, WCL 2024 match?

The India Champions vs Pakistan Champions, WCL 2024 match will be streamed live on the Fancode app.

(All the details are as per the information provided by the broadcaster)

India Champions Squad: Robin Uthappa, Naman Ojha(w), Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh(c), Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Irfan Pathan, Yusuf Pathan, Vinay Kumar, Harbhajan Singh, Dhawal Kulkarni, Rahul Shukla, RP Singh, Saurabh Tiwary, Anureet Singh, Rahul Sharma, Ambati Rayudu, Pawan Negi

Yusuf Pathan (L) and Irfan Pathan© X (formerly Twitter)