After cruising through the group stage, AB de Villiers fell for six in the World Championship of Legends 2025 semi-final on Thursday (July 31).
After India forfeited the first semi-final against Pakistan, resulting in their opponents' going to the final, the second top-four match featured a clash between South Africa and Australia at Trent Bridge.
Earlier, the group match between the two subcontinental teams also faced a similar fate. This stems from worsening diplomatic relations between the neighbouring nations after their armed conflict in May. Notably, India and Pakistan remain in the same group for the 2025 Asia Cup, potentially facing each other in up to three matches in the tournament.
De Villiers entered the knockout fixture as the tournament's leading run-scorer by a significant margin, having amassed 303 runs at an average of 151.50 and a strike rate of 231.23. The next highest scorer was England's Ravi Bopara with 177 runs at 88.50 and 153.91.
He smashed a 39-ball century against Australia in the group stage, surpassing his previous 41-ball hundred against England. His tournament scores before the knockout read: 3, 63*, 116*, 123, showcasing remarkable consistency and explosive power.
In Thursday's second semi-final, De Villiers began with characteristic aggression, dispatching Peter Siddle to long-off for four off his second delivery. However, his innings proved brief. Facing the sixth ball of the over, he attempted another aggressive shot - this time aiming over long-on - but hit it flat to D'Arcy Short, ending his knock after just four balls.
Half-centuries from JJ Smuts (57 off 41) and Morne van Wyk (76 off 32) provided South Africa with a strong platform at 159-4 after 16 overs. However, disciplined death bowling – highlighted by Siddle's triple-wicket final over – restricted them to 186-8. Siddle finished with 4-30. Steve O'Keefe also proved economical, but didn't find any success, returning 0-30. South Africa would go on to win a thriller, with de Villiers given one more chance to cap off a fine individual tournament.
Siddle’s triple-wicket final over gives Australia Champions a solid boost at the break 🎯
— FanCode (@FanCode) July 31, 2025
But can their batters back it up in the chase? 👀#WCL2025 pic.twitter.com/fpinwQJC3T
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