AB de Villiers torments Pakistan bowlers, smashes 12 fours & 6 sixes in 60-ball 120 as South Africa chase down 196 to win WCL 2025 title

Cricket’s Mr. 360, legendary batter AB de Villiers led South Africa Champions to their maiden World Championship of Legends (WCL) title as they romped over Pakistan with a nine-wicket victory at Edgbaston, Birmingham on August 2. In the run chase of 196, De Villiers led the charge with his unbeaten 120. South Africa Champions chased down the target with nine wickets in hand and 19 balls to spare.

Malik’s slow knock keeps score under 200

After India Champions pulled out of the tournament, Pakistan got a direct entry into the final. In the final, Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez won the toss and opted to bat first. Hardus Viljoen struck early as he dismissed Kamran Akmal for a single-digit score. Hafeez departed for a 10-ball 17 cameo to Wayne Parnell. Sharjeel Khan played the anchor role while Shoaib Malik played with an ODI-like strike rate. Sharjeel reached his fifty from 32 balls. 

ALSO READ: After 6th Test ton, Yashasvi Jaiswal reveals former captain Rohit Sharma's message from stands at The Oval

In the 13th over, he hit Aaron Phangiso for two sixes and two fours. Viljoen came back into the attack and dismissed Sharjeel lbw. The opener hit nine fours and four sixes in his 44-ball 76. Malik failed to accelerate and fell for a disappointing 25-ball 20 to Parnell. Umar Amin and Asif Ali pushed the scoring rate in the slog overs. In the final over, Duanne Oliver dismissed Asif for a 15-ball 28. Amin stayed unbeaten for 19-ball 36, helping Pakistan post 195/5.

ALSO READ: 'This is a little cap, which I give to very few people with my signature': Sunil Gavaskar's special gift to Shubman Gill for coming close to his record

ABD makes Pakistan pay for sloppy fielding

The run chase got off to an ideal start. In the second over Imad Wasim conceded 21 runs as De Villiers hit him for two sixes and a four. Saeed Ajmal got the breakthrough with Hashim Amla's wicket for a 14-ball 18. Despite the wicket, South Africa were 72/1 after powerplay overs.  De Villiers reached his fifty from 27 balls with a maximum. He continued to exploit the gaps and loose deliveries. 

Ajmal made a mess of a chance in the 10th over created by skipper Hafeez. In the 12th over, De Villiers reached his century from 47 balls. Jean-Paul Duminy played second fiddle to his captain. In the 17th over, Duminy finished the run chase with a six. He completed his fifty from 28 balls. On the other end, De Villiers hit seven sixes and 12 fours in his 60-ball 120.