The stage is set for a high-stakes showdown at Grace Road in Leicester as the Australia Champions lock horns with the Pakistan Champions in a crucial World Championship of Legends 2025 clash on Tuesday.
While Pakistan are second on the leaderboard, with six points from three matches, Australia is third with five points from four matches.
Australia looked in fine form earlier in the tournament, stringing together impressive victories over the West Indies and India Champions. They completed a chase against Men in Blue by four wickets in a composed effort, but their momentum came to a screeching halt against South Africa.
The Aussies were handed a 95-run thumping, largely thanks to a blistering 123 off just 46 balls from AB de Villiers, who lit up the scoreboard with 15 boundaries and eight towering sixes. JJ Smuts added to the carnage with a quickfire 85. Australia crumbled under the pressure of a 242-run chase, folding for 145 in 16.4 overs.
Pakistan, on the other hand, head into this contest riding high on confidence. They opened their campaign with a tense five-run win, but their marquee matchup against the India Champions fell through as India refused to participate due to the ongoing political tension between the neighbouring countries.
Solid wins over South Africa (by 31 runs) and West Indies (by 49 runs) have bolstered their standing, and their belief.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match, kickoff times and the latest lineup news.
Australia Champions vs. Pakistan Champions T20 match live stream, TV channel in the US
Here's how to watch this T20 match in the United States:
- TV Channel: Willow TV
- Live Stream: Fubo
Fans in the United States will be able to watch this game live exclusively on Willow TV.
Willow Sports is a cable TV channel, but if it's not included in your current package or you've cut the cord, it's available on Fubo US.
Fubo offers Willow TV as part of its expanded sports offering. In addition to live matches, you can also watch replays and highlights on demand at any time from any device.
Fubo carries all the top leagues and teams, plus popular shows, movies and news for the entire household. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
What time does Australia Champions vs. Pakistan Champions T20 match start in the US?
This T20 match takes place at the Grace Road in Leicester, England, and starts on Friday, July 29 at 12:30 p.m. local time (BST), which translates to 7:30 a.m. (ET) in the US.
Australia Champions vs. Pakistan Champions T20 match predicted XIs, team news
Against SA Champs, Australia Champions' run chase unraveled right from the outset as Chris Lynn's early exit triggered a top-order collapse. They lost four wickets within the Powerplay, leaving the innings in disarray. The South Africa Champions kept their foot on the gas, striking at regular intervals and denying the Aussies any room to build meaningful partnerships.
Ben Cutting and Peter Siddle offered a glimmer of resistance late on, stitching together a gritty 79-run stand for the ninth wicket. Cutting led the charge with a fighting knock of 59, but by then, the damage had already been done. Despite their late push, Australia never truly threatened the mammoth target, and the mountain proved far too steep to climb.
Any personnel change is highly unlikely to be seen in Australia Champions playing XI here.
Australia Champions predicted XI: Chris Lynn, Shaun Marsh, D’Arcy Short, Ben Dunk (WK), Callum Ferguson, Dan Christian, Ben Cutting, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Brett Lee (C), Peter Siddle, Steve O’Keefe.
Kamran Akmal rolled back the years with a blistering 113 off just 62 deliveries, powering Pakistan Champions to a commanding 49-run victory over the West Indies Champions. His century laid the foundation for a formidable total of 200/4, giving the Caribbean side a mountain to climb.
In response, West Indies Champions never really got going and stumbled to 151/7 after 20 overs. Pakistan's bowlers were right on the money, Rumman Raees was almost unplayable, grabbing 3 wickets for just 4 runs in his three-over spell. Sohail Tanvir and Aamer Yamin also joined the party, picking up two wickets apiece to cap off a dominant all-round display.
Pakistan Champions predicted XI: Mohammad Hafeez (c), Kamran Akmal (wk), Shoaib Malik, Sharjeel Khan, Asif Ali, Umar Amin, Aamer Yamin, Wahab Riaz, Sohail Khan, Sohail Tanvir, Rumman Raees.
World Championship of Legends 2025 schedule
All times ET
Tuesday, July 29
- Australia Champions vs. Pakistan Champions (7:30 a.m. ET)
- India Champions vs. West Indies Champions (11:30 a.m. ET)