Former South Africa star AB de Villiers continued his stellar run of form with a century in the World Championship of Legends final on Saturday (August 2).
The summit clash of the two-week long tournament took place at Edgbaston on Saturday, with South Africa taking on Pakistan. South Africa had beaten Australia in the semi-final to qualify, while Pakistan received passage to the final after India forfeited the semi-final due to political tensions between the two countries.
Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez won the toss and chose to bat, and Pakistan put imposing 195-5 in 20 overs. Opener Sharjeel Khan was the star with 76 off 44 balls, as Asif Ali (28) and Umar Amin (36 not out) also chipped in with cameos. Hardus Viljoen and Wayne Parnell took two wickets apiece for South Africa.
AB de Villiers scores third century in four WCL innings
South Africa opened their chase with Hashim Amla and de Villiers, the latter coming in as an Impact Player as Aaron Phangiso took over captaincy duties on the field.
Read more: Explained: Why AB de Villiers wasn't included in the playing XI in the WCL final
The pair lasted the entire powerplay, as Amla was dismissed off the final ball of the sixth over for 18 off 14. But the score at that point read a massive 72-1, courtesy of de Villiers blasting 46 off 23 balls.
Final, Pakistan Champions vs South Africa Champions
vs
- Ball by ball Over
He brought up his half-century off 24 balls with a six in the company of JP Duminy, and South Africa were well on their way to gunning down their target. De Villiers needed only 20 more balls to score his next fifty runs, completing his century off 44 deliveries with a pull for four off the bowling of Saeed Ajmal.
He finished unbeaten on 120, as Duminy hit the title-winning runs in the 17th over. This was de Villiers's third century in four WCL innings, having made 123 and 116* against Australia and England in the group stage.
AB de Villiers – World Championship of Legends, 2025
| Opponent | Date | Stage | Score |
| West Indies | July 19 | Group | 3 (4) |
| India | July 22 | Group | 61* (30) |
| England | July 24 | Group | 116* (51) |
| Australia | July 27 | Group | 123 (46) |
| Australia | July 31 | Semi-final | 6 (4) |
| Pakistan | August 2 | Final | 120* (60) |
Image credit: YouTube / SportsEye
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