South Africa Dominates Pakistan, Securing Victory and Winning the WCL 2025 Trophy
In a thrilling final held at Edgbaston, Birmingham on August 2, 2025, the South Africa Champions emerged victorious in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025, defeating the Pakistan Champions by 9 wickets.
The Pakistan Champions, led by Mohammad Hafeez, posted a strong total of 195/5 in their 20 overs, with Sharjeel Khan leading the charge, scoring 76 off 44 deliveries, including nine fours and four sixes. Despite being dismissed, the partnership between Sharjeel and Shoaib Malik, who scored 20 off 25 deliveries before being dismissed, proved crucial in setting a formidable target.
However, the South Africa Champions were not intimidated. AB de Villiers, despite battling a hamstring injury and being 41 years old, played a masterful innings, remaining unbeaten on 120 off 60 balls, hitting 12 fours and 7 sixes. His century, achieved in just 47 balls, set the tone for the successful chase, which was completed in 16.5 overs with 9 wickets in hand.
JP Duminy provided valuable support with a quick 50 not out off 28 balls, helping South Africa seal the victory with 19 balls to spare. This remarkable performance earned de Villiers the Player of the Match and Player of the Tournament honors.
The South Africa Champions' batting unit, including Hashim Amla, JJ Smuts, Morne van Wyk, Sarel Erwee, Jean-Paul Duminy, and Wayne Parnell, all contributed to the successful chase. Duanne Olivier made one scalp for South Africa, while Hardus Viljoen and Wayne Parnell each bagged two wickets for the Champions.
The Pakistan Champions' bowling unit, led by Sohail Tanvir and Rumman Raees, struggled to contain the South Africa Champions' batting might, with only Saeed Ajmal managing to pick up a wicket.
This victory marked the end of a long trophy drought for AB de Villiers and sealed his legacy as a cricketing great. The extraordinary innings, especially given his age and injury, was widely praised and marked a fitting high point in his career.
Summary of key highlights: - Pakistan Champions scored 195/5 in 20 overs (Sharjeel Khan 76 off 44) - South Africa Champions chased successfully with 197/1 in 16.5 overs (de Villiers 120 off 60) - de Villiers unbeaten 120 off 60 balls (12 fours, 7 sixes), century in 47 balls - JP Duminy 50 off 28 to support the chase - South Africa won by 9 wickets, 19 balls remaining - de Villiers awarded Player of the Match and Player of the Tournament
The Proteas' playing XI included Hashim Amla, JJ Smuts, Morne van Wyk (w), Sarel Erwee, Jean-Paul Duminy, Wayne Parnell, Hardus Viljoen, Jacques Rudolph, Aaron Phangiso, Imran Tahir, Duanne Olivier. The Pakistan Champions' lineup consisted of Sharjeel Khan, Kamran Akmal (w), Mohammad Hafeez (c), Asif Ali, Shoaib Malik, Imad Wasim, Umar Amin, Aamer Yamin, Sohail Tanvir, Rumman Raees, Saeed Ajmal.
The South Africa Champions' exceptional batting performance, led by AB de Villiers' unbeaten 120 off 60 balls (12 fours, 7 sixes), allowed them to successfully chase the Pakistan Champions' score of 195/5, winning by 9 wickets in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025. The impactful partnership between Sharjeel Khan (76 off 44) and Shoaib Malik (20 off 25) for Pakistan was crucial in setting a formidable target, but it was not enough to overcome the dominance of the South Africa Champions in sports.
