'Still better than most playing in IPL' - Dale Steyn drops a bombshell after AB de Villiers' smashes 47-ball century against Pakistan
Legendary South Africa fast bowler
Dale Steyn
has said his former teammate
AB de Villiers
is still better than most of the international cricketers, who plays in the
Indian Premier League
.
Steyn's remarks came after AB de Villiers' blazing ton powers South Africa Champions to beat Pakistan Champions for the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 title on Saturday in Birmingham.
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AB de Villiers, now retired, turned back the clock with a stunning 47-ball century to lead South Africa Champions to a dominant nine-wicket win over Pakistan Champions in the final of the WCL 2025.
"Unpopular/Popular opinion. Ab is still better than half the internationals at IPL. Maybe even more," Steyn wrote on X.
Chasing 196, De Villiers was at his vintage best, finishing unbeaten on 120 off just 60 balls. He smashed 18 boundaries — including 10 fours and 8 sixes — and stitched together two crucial partnerships: 72 runs with fellow opener Hashim Amla and an unbroken 125-run stand with JP Duminy, who remained unbeaten on a fluent 51.
Poll
Do you agree with Dale Steyn that AB de Villiers is still better than most IPL players?
Yes, absolutely!
No, not really.
Earlier, Pakistan Champions opted to bat first after winning the toss. Opener Sharjeel Khan gave them a flying start with a 44-ball 76 and shared a 72-run stand with Shoaib Malik. However, their innings lost momentum in the middle overs, thanks to disciplined spells from Hardus Viljoen and Wayne Parnell, who claimed two wickets apiece. Viljoen removed both openers, while Parnell dismissed captain Mohammad Hafeez and disrupted the middle order.
De Villiers, who had already lit up the tournament with two centuries before the final, made sure there were no hiccups this time. He launched the chase with a flurry of boundaries, including two sixes and a four in just the second over, setting the tone for an emphatic win with 19 balls to spare.
With 429 runs across the tournament, including three centuries, De Villiers was rightfully named Player of the Tournament.
Interestingly, Pakistan Champions had beaten South Africa in the group stage by 31 runs, but when it truly mattered, the South Africans responded in style to lift the trophy.
For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the
India vs England Test match
here.
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