BIRMINGHAM, United Kingdom: South Africa Champions clinched the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 title with a commanding nine-wicket win over Pakistan Champions at Edgbaston on Saturday, thanks to a blistering unbeaten century by AB de Villiers.
Chasing a stiff target of 196, South Africa cruised to victory in just 16.5 overs, losing only one wicket.
De Villiers led the charge with a masterclass innings, smashing 120 not out off 60 balls, featuring 12 fours and seven sixes.
This knock marked his third century of the tournament and sealed his side’s dominance in the final.
De Villiers and Hashim Amla put on 72 runs for the opening wicket before Amla was dismissed by Saeed Ajmal for 18 off 14 balls at the end of the sixth over.
From there, JP Duminy joined de Villiers and steadied the innings before accelerating in the latter half.
Duminy ended unbeaten on 50 off 28 balls, hitting four fours and two sixes in their unbroken 125-run partnership.
For Pakistan Champions, Ajmal was the only wicket-taker. The rest of the bowling attack failed to contain the South African batters on a flat Edgbaston pitch.
Earlier, Pakistan Champions opted to bat first and posted a competitive total of 195 for 5 in their 20 overs.
The innings was anchored by opener Sharjeel Khan, who played a fluent knock of 76 off 44 balls, hitting nine fours and four sixes.
He added 72 runs for the third wicket with Shoaib Malik (20 off 25), after captain Mohammad Hafeez contributed a quick 17 off 10.
Pakistan lost opener Kamran Akmal early for 2, but the middle order steadied the innings. After Malik’s dismissal, Umar Amin and Asif Ali put together a 61-run stand in the final overs to push the total near the 200 mark.
Asif struck 28 off 15 balls, while Amin remained unbeaten on 36 off 19 deliveries, including three fours and three sixes.
For South Africa Champions, Hardus Viljoen and Wayne Parnell claimed two wickets each, while Duanne Olivier took one.
The one-sided final showcased the dominance of South Africa Champions throughout the tournament, with de Villiers’ stunning form proving decisive.
Pakistan Champions, despite a strong batting performance, were let down by their bowling unit on the day that mattered most.
Pakistan Champions Playing XI
Sharjeel Khan, Kamran Akmal(w), Mohammad Hafeez(c), Asif Ali, Shoaib Malik, Imad Wasim, Umar Amin, Aamer Yamin, Sohail Tanvir, Rumman Raees, Saeed Ajmal
South Africa Champions Playing XI
Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, Morne van Wyk(w), Sarel Erwee, Jean-Paul Duminy, Wayne Parnell, Hardus Viljoen, Jacques Rudolph, Aaron Phangiso, Imran Tahir, Duanne Olivier
