Jason Roy
Dawid Malan
Ravi Bopara
Moeen Ali
Joe Denly
Samit Patel
Fidel Edwards
Sheldon Cottrell
Raymon Reifer
Carlos Brathwaite
Dwayne Bravo
Lendl Simmons✱
Chris Gayle
Chadwick Walton✱
Toby Roland-Jones
Tymal Mills
Ajmal Shahzad
In a nail‑biting climax at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Lendl Simmons turned the tide for West Indies Champions, blasting 77 runs off just 53 balls to steer his side to a thrilling eight‑wicket victory over England Champions. The match, part of the World Championship of Legends 2026, saw West Indies chase down a modest 159‑7 with just 17 overs to spare, delivering a spectacle that will be remembered for its high‑octane finish.
Match Summary
The toss was won by West Indies Champions, who elected to bowl first under partly cloudy skies with a humid 31.1 °C. England Champions got off to a steady start, but the early breakthroughs by Fidel Edwards (1/35), Sheldon Cottrell (1/29) and Raymon Reifer (1/42) kept the run‑rate in check. England posted a total of 159 for 7 in their full 20 overs, a score that seemed defendable on a pitch offering a little assistance to the seamers.
West Indies' reply began cautiously, but the partnership between Lendl Simmons and Chadwick Walton proved decisive. Simmons, in sublime form, struck at a strike‑rate of 145, while Walton contributed a rapid 58 off 35 balls. Together they dismantled the English bowlers, reaching the target with seven wickets in hand and three overs to spare. The final scoreboard read West Indies Champions 165‑1 (17.0 overs), clinching the win by eight wickets.
Key Performances
Lendl Simmons (West Indies Champions) – 77 runs off 53 balls (8 fours, 4 sixes), strike‑rate 145.33. His innings was the cornerstone of the chase, combining aggressive boundary hitting with smart placement.
Chadwick Walton (West Indies Champions) – 58 runs off 35 balls (5 fours, 3 sixes), strike‑rate 165.79. Walton’s quickfire cameo added momentum after Simmons got set.
Chris Gayle (West Indies Champions) – 21 runs off 14 balls (2 fours, 1 six), strike‑rate 150. His cameo provided a late surge in the run‑rate.
Fidel Edwards (England Champions) – 1 wicket for 35 runs in 4 overs, economy 8.75. First wicket of the innings, breaking the opening partnership.
Sheldon Cottrell (England Champions) – 1 wicket for 29 runs in 4 overs, economy 7.25. Bowled a tight spell, keeping the run‑rate under control.
Raymon Reifer (England Champions) – 1 wicket for 42 runs in 4 overs, economy 10.50. Picked up the crucial wicket of Lendl Simmons’ partner.
Turning Points
The match swung in West Indies' favor the moment Simmons and Walton forged a 100‑run partnership. Prior to this, England's bowlers had kept the required run‑rate hovering around 7.5 per over. Simmons' boundary after a tight delivery from Edwards shifted the momentum, and Walton’s aggressive slogging soon followed, pushing the required runs down sharply.
Another pivotal moment arrived when England’s Reifer dismissed Walton at 58, but Simmons, already set, accelerated further, ensuring the chase stayed on course. The final over saw West Indies needing just 5 runs, which they achieved with ease, sealing the victory.
Series Implications
With this win, West Indies Champions level the head‑to‑head record in the World Championship of Legends 2026 series, moving ahead 2‑1 against England Champions. The triumph not only boosts West Indies’ confidence but also puts pressure on England to regroup ahead of the next fixture. For West Indies, the victory underscores the depth in their batting lineup, especially the resurgence of Simmons and the ever‑reliable Walton.
England Champions, now trailing, will need to reassess their bowling strategies, particularly in defending low‑to‑moderate totals. The performance of their pace trio—Edwards, Cottrell, and Reifer—showed promise but lacked the cutting edge to contain a high‑scoring chase.
Fans searching for the England Champions vs West Indies Champions T20 Sund will find this match a classic example of how a single partnership can turn a game on its head. The live action, captured in the World Championship of Legends 2026 live score feeds, highlighted the excitement of T20 cricket in Sharjah.
Looking ahead, both sides will aim to fine‑tune their tactics. West Indies will look to capitalize on their batting momentum, while England will seek to tighten their bowling plans to prevent another high‑scoring chase. The next encounter promises to be a thrilling continuation of this burgeoning rivalry.