Superhuman AB de Villiers powers SA to Legends glory
De Villiers hammered a stunning unbeaten 120 off 60 balls as South Africa easily secured a nine-wicket victory to lift the title and pick up a winner's cheque of $200 000 (R3.6 million).
South Africa legends have won the WCL 2025.
AB de Villiers has won his first trophy by scoring 120*(60) in the finals. THE GREATEST.❤️😭 pic.twitter.com/Hf1Nx21BBa
— . (@ABDszn17) August 2, 2025
Chasing 196 runs to win, South Africa got off to a sparkling start with the legendary opening par of De Villiers and Hashim Amla as they put on 72 runs.
Amla was caught for 18 off Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal, but captain De Villiers shouldered the Proteas run-chase as he brought up his third century in his four matches at the tournament.
De Villiers hit seven sixes and 12 boundaries to in his marvelous T20 ton as the 41-year-old led from the front to end as the competition's leading run scorer with 429 runs.
READ | Markram backs 'X-factor' young guns to fly ahead of Proteas' tour Down Under
De Villiers closed out the match with an unbroken 125-run partnership with JP Duminy, who hit the winning runs with a six and end on 50 not out off 28 balls.
The Proteas suffered no further damage and eased to the target with 19 balls to spare and be crowned in Birmingham.
Earlier on, Pakistan posted 195/5 after deciding to bat first thanks to a half-century by Sharjeel Khan, who scored 76 off 44 balls.
Former Proteas bowlers Hardus Viljoen and Wayne Parnell claimed two wickets each, with Duanne Olivier (1/38) also chipping in.
The South Africa 'champions' defeated Australia by one run in the semi-finals to progress to the final against Pakistan, who advanced to the final after India pulled out due to political reasons.
Pakistan 195-5 in 20 (Sharjeel 76, Amin 36, Parnell 2/32, Viljoen 2/38)
South Africa 197-1 in 16.5 (De Villiers 120*, Duminy 50*, Ajmal 1/32)
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