🏏 Match Summary: WCL 2025 Final – South Africa vs Pakistan
📅 Date: August 2, 2025
🏟️ Venue: Edgbaston, Birmingham
🏆 Tournament: World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 – Final
🆚 Teams: Pakistan Champions vs South Africa Champions
🎯 Result: South Africa Champions won by 9 wickets
🔥 Player of the Match: AB de Villiers
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| South Africa Champions won by 9 wickets |
🇵🇰 Pakistan Champions Innings – 195/5 (20 overs)
Pakistan Champions posted a challenging 195/5 in their allotted 20 overs after being put in to bat. The innings was headlined by a blistering knock from Sharjeel Khan and solid finishes by Asif Ali and Umar Amin.
🏏 Top Performers:
Sharjeel Khan: 76
Asif Ali: 28
Umar Amin: 36*
🏏 South Africa’s Bowling:
Hardus Viljoen and Wayne Parnell were among the wicket-takers but failed to contain the scoring.
Some loose death bowling allowed Pakistan to push close to 200.
🇿🇦 South Africa Champions Innings – 197/1 (16.5 overs)
Despite Pakistan’s strong total, South Africa Champions chased it down comfortably with 19 balls to spare, losing only one wicket in the process. The run chase was dominated by AB de Villiers, who delivered one of his finest T20 innings.
🏏 Top Performers:
AB de Villiers: 120* (60 balls) – 12 fours, 7 sixes – A vintage, unbeaten century under pressure.
JP Duminy: 50 (28 balls) – A calm and composed stand with AB.
🔑 Expert Key Moments & Tactical Insights
🔥 1. Sharjeel Khan Sets the Stage
Sharjeel’s innings was aggressive from the outset, punishing full-length bowling.
His ability to clear the ropes gave Pakistan an early edge, and his strike rate over 170 proved crucial.
🛡️ 2. Asif Ali and Umar Amin’s Finishing Punch
Smart rotation and boundary hitting in the final overs lifted Pakistan from 145 to 195.
Their intent ensured Pakistan had a defendable total despite mid-innings stumbles.
😬 3. South Africa’s Bowling Misfires
Parnell, Viljoen, and Morkel lacked consistency in length.
Despite their experience, the bowlers conceded too many in the final overs.
👑 4. AB de Villiers Turns Back the Clock
Chasing nearly 10 RPO, AB de Villiers launched an all-out assault.
His shot selection, strike rotation, and aggression neutralized the Pakistan bowling attack.
One of the most composed yet destructive T20 innings in recent memory by a legend.
📉 5. Pakistan’s Bowling Under Pressure
Sohail Tanvir and Mohammad Hafeez picked up one wicket, but lacked venom.
The absence of dot-ball pressure in the middle overs cost Pakistan the game.
📋 Final Scorecard – WCL 2025 Final
Pakistan Champions: 195/5 (20 overs)
Sharjeel Khan 76
Asif Ali 28
Umar Amin 36*
South Africa Champions: 197/1 (16.5 overs)
AB de Villiers 120* (60)
JP Duminy 50* (28)
South Africa won by 9 wickets
🧠 Expert Verdict
This was a final for the ages—featuring power-hitting, world-class finishes, and a clinical chase by legends of the game. South Africa’s ability to stay calm under pressure and AB de Villiers’ unforgettable century proved decisive. While Pakistan had their moments, the chase was tactically flawless, and South Africa earned the WCL 2025 crown in dominant fashion.
