South Africa clinch WCL final as de Villiers hits match-winning ton

BIRMINGHAM: South African champions defeated Pakistan by nine wickets in the WCL final on Saturday, thanks to a stellar innings from AB de Villiers.

The legendary batter Abraham Benjamin de Villiers smashed a century off just 47 deliveries, hitting ten fours and seven sixes.

Ab de villiers won in real life as well bruv, just look at how his kids running towards him.🥹 pic.twitter.com/6TlR1oF4JJ

— U' (@toxifyy18) August 2, 2025

He scored three centuries in the four matches he played during the World Championship of Legends: 123(46) vs Australia, 116*(51) vs England, and now 120*(60) vs Pakistan in WCL final.

De Villiers got lucky

de Villiers’ luck was on his side as he narrowly escaped dismissal twice.

The first instance came when Asif Ali appeared to catch him off Wahab Riaz’s delivery, but the third umpire ruled it not out, as the ball had touched the ground.

The second came when Saeed Ajmal dropped his catch on 78 off Mohammad Hafeez’s delivery.

Imad Washim retired last year
Sohel tanvir plays PSL and other leagues
Wahab riaz bowling at 130+
Saeed Ajmal was literally chucking

Still AB de villiers managed to hit another century in just 47 balls 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ICrQNn1VWk

— Kevin (@imkevin149) August 2, 2025

In the 16th over, when de Villiers was on 114, another catch was dropped off Wahab Riaz’s delivery near the straight boundary. Umar Amin was the fielder.

de Villiers scored 120 off 60 balls despite suffering from a leg injury.

JP Duminy half century

The left arm batter, Jean-Paul Duminy, more commonly known as JP Duminy, smashed half-century off 28 deliveries.

Pakistan Champions v South Africa Champions | WCL 2025 – Final#PAKvSA #ABDevilliers pic.twitter.com/KNvQcAjWqL

— CricCircle (@thecriccircle) August 2, 2025

AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla opened South Africa’s chase of a 196-run target.

The only wicket South Africa lost was Amla’s, who was dismissed by Saeed Ajmal while attempting a cut shot to the leg side. The ball went straight into Raees’ hands. He scored 18 off 14 deliveries.

South Africa Champions

Pakistan innings

In the WCL final, Pakistan won the toss but skipper Mohammad Hafeez opted to bat first.

They lost their first wicket early when Kamran Akmal was dismissed for just 2 runs off the bowling of Hardus Viljoen.

Skipper Mohammad Hafeez followed soon after, scoring 17 before being caught off Wayne Parnell.

WCL Final : PAK sets the Target of 196 v SA

AB deVilliers will be in Action in Next Few mnts. pic.twitter.com/bmO0s2WrdA

— 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar) August 2, 2025

Opener Sharjeel Khan anchored the innings with a blistering 76, while Shoaib Malik chipped in with 20 before falling.

Asif Ali, who fell in the last over, scored 28 runs off 15 deliveries.

Pakistan scored 195 runs after losing 5 wickets in their allotted 20 overs.

The World Championship of Legends began in 2011 and is now an annual feature on the cricketing calendar, attracting a growing fan base for its blend of nostalgia and competitive action.

The tournament, played in T20 format and sanctioned by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), features retired and non-contracted players from major cricketing nations.

This year’s edition has drawn global attention with stars like Shahid Afridi, Yuvraj Singh, Kevin Pietersen, Brett Lee, Eoin Morgan, and Chris Gayle taking part.

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Pakistan remained unbeaten in the tournament and advanced directly to the final after India withdrew from the semi-final due to political tensions. However, Pakistan Champions could not win the WCL title.

Pakistan Playing XIs

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 Playing XIs

Hashim Amla, JJ Smuts, Morne van Wyk (wk), Sarel Erwee, JP Duminy, Wayne Parnell, Hardus Viljoen, Jacques Rudolph, Aaron Phangiso, Imran Tahir, Duanne Olivier, AB de Villiers (c)