AB de Villiers’ Blistering Century Powers South Africa Champions to WCL 2025 Title

Birmingham, August 2, 2025 – In a dazzling display of batting prowess, AB de Villiers rolled back the years, smashing an unbeaten 120 off 60 balls to lead South Africa Champions to a commanding nine-wicket victory over Pakistan Champions in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 final at Edgbaston. The Proteas chased down a formidable target of 196 in just 16.5 overs, securing their maiden WCL title and cementing de Villiers’ legacy as one of cricket’s all-time greats.

The Stage is Set

The WCL 2025, sanctioned by the England & Wales Cricket Board, brought together cricketing legends from across the globe, including stars like Chris Gayle, Shahid Afridi, and Yuvraj Singh. The tournament, held in Birmingham and Northampton, featured six teams in a round-robin format, culminating in a high-stakes final between two powerhouses: Pakistan Champions, led by Shoaib Malik, and South Africa Champions, captained by the charismatic AB de Villiers.

Pakistan entered the final unbeaten in the group stage, earning a direct berth after India Champions opted not to play their semifinal due to geopolitical tensions. South Africa, meanwhile, secured their spot with a thrilling one-run victory over Australia Champions in the second semifinal, thanks to de Villiers’ match-winning run-out on the final ball.

Pakistan’s Competitive Total

Winning the toss, Pakistan Champions elected to bat first on a batting-friendly Edgbaston pitch. Despite an early setback with Kamran Akmal falling for just 2, opener Sharjeel Khan ignited the innings with a blistering 76 off 44 balls, including 9 fours and 4 sixes. Mohammad Hafeez contributed a quick 17 off 10, but it was the late flourish from Umar Amin (36* off 19) and Asif Ali (28 off 15) that propelled Pakistan to a competitive 195/5 in 20 overs. The final five overs yielded 64 runs, with Amin and Ali smashing boundaries and sixes to keep the momentum.

South Africa’s bowlers, led by Wayne Parnell (2/32) and Hardus Viljoen (2/38), kept things tight, while Duanne Olivier claimed a wicket in the final over. Despite the strong finish, Pakistan’s total seemed challenging, setting the stage for a thrilling chase.

De Villiers’ Masterclass

Chasing 196, South Africa Champions needed a strong start, and AB de Villiers delivered beyond expectations. The 41-year-old former Proteas captain, battling a hamstring injury, unleashed a batting masterclass, hammering 12 fours and 7 sixes in his unbeaten 120 off 60 balls. His century, reached in just 47 balls, was a blend of vintage aggression and calculated precision, reminiscent of his prime as “Mr. 360.”

De Villiers found an able partner in Jean-Paul Duminy, who played a fluent knock of 50* off 28 balls, including a match-sealing six in the 16.5th over off Rumman Raees. The duo stitched together a dominant 145-run partnership for the second wicket, dismantling Pakistan’s bowling attack with ease. Saeed Ajmal was the only bowler to claim a wicket, finishing with 1/32, while Raees (0/33) and Wahab Riaz (0/33) struggled to contain the onslaught.

South Africa reached 197/1 in 16.5 overs, completing the chase with 19 balls to spare. The emphatic victory showcased their batting depth and de Villiers’ unmatched ability to dominate even at 41.

Key Moments

• Sharjeel’s Blitz: Pakistan’s opener set the tone with a 44-ball 76, anchoring the innings and giving Pakistan a strong platform.
• Late Surge: Umar Amin and Asif Ali’s late hitting ensured Pakistan posted a competitive 195/5.
• De Villiers’ Dominance: AB’s 120* included a flurry of boundaries, with a notable over against Wahab Riaz where he smashed two fours to take South Africa close to victory.
• Duminy’s Finish: JP Duminy’s lofted six over long-off in the 16.5th over sealed the chase, bringing up his fifty and the title for South Africa.

Awards and Accolades

AB de Villiers was named Player of the Match for his sensational century and Player of the Series for his tournament tally of 429 runs, including three centuries, making him the highest run-getter in WCL 2025. His leadership and all-around brilliance, including spectacular fielding efforts like a crucial run-out in the semifinal, were pivotal to South Africa’s success.

Team Line-ups

Pakistan Champions: Sharjeel Khan, Kamran Akmal (wk), Mohammad Hafeez (c), Asif Ali, Shoaib Malik, Imad Wasim, Umar Amin, Aamer Yamin, Sohail Tanvir, Rumman Raees, Saeed Ajmal.
South Africa Champions: Hashim Amla, JJ Smuts, Morne van Wyk (wk), Sarel Erwee, Jean-Paul Duminy, Wayne Parnell, Hardus Viljoen, Jacques Rudolph, Aaron Phangiso, Imran Tahir, Duanne Olivier, AB de Villiers (c).

Post-Match Reactions

De Villiers, reflecting on the win, dedicated the victory to his kids and South African fans, saying, “It’s a privilege to play with these legends and bring home the trophy.” Imran Tahir praised de Villiers as “the greatest player I’ve seen,” highlighting his passion and commitment. Pakistan’s Shoaib Malik, gracious in defeat, acknowledged South Africa’s dominance, noting, “AB was unstoppable today.”

A New Chapter for South Africa

This triumph marks a remarkable turnaround for South Africa Champions, who finished fifth in the 2024 edition. The addition of de Villiers and a change in mindset transformed them into a formidable force, culminating in their first WCL title. For Pakistan, it was a second consecutive final loss, following their defeat to India Champions in 2024.

The WCL 2025 final, broadcast live on Star Sports Network and streamed on FanCode, captivated fans worldwide, reaffirming the enduring appeal of cricket’s golden generation. As South Africa celebrates, AB de Villiers stands tall as the hero who turned back time to deliver a championship for the ages.

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