Watch: Unbelievable! 41-year-old AB de Villiers battles hamstring injury to score 47-ball ton vs Pakistan in WCL 2025 final
Cricket
fans witnessed the extraordinary on Sunday as the ever-reliable
AB de Villiers
delivered a once-in-a-generation knock under pressure and under physical strain.
The 41-year-old South African legend, battling a hamstring injury, smashed an unbeaten 120 off just 60 balls to guide South Africa Champions to a thumping 9-wicket win over Pakistan Champions in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 final.
De Villiers brought up his hundred in only 47 deliveries, hitting 12 4s and clearing the ropes seven times.
His timing, composure, and clean striking left fans in awe, as he made an otherwise challenging chase of 196 look effortless.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel.
SUBSCRIBE NOW!
Watch:
Despite grimacing through the pain mid-innings and requiring attention from the physio, he remained unfazed, pushing through discomfort with sheer class and experience.
Supported ably by
JP Duminy
, who added a brisk 50* off 28 balls, South Africa sealed the match with 19 balls to spare. The chase was as clinical as it was entertaining, capping off an undefeated run for the South Africans throughout the tournament.
De Villiers' efforts earned him both Player of the Match and Player of the Tournament honours, well deserved for a campaign where he consistently produced big scores in high-pressure moments.
Meanwhile, India Champions' absence from the tournament's knockout stages continued to be a talking point. Their decision to withdraw from the semi-final against Pakistan drew mixed reactions, but former cricketer Suresh Raina expressed confidence in his side, posting: 'What a knock by AB de Villiers in the final, absolutely smashed it. Had we played, we would've crushed them too, but we chose our nation above everything else.
'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
4 hours ago
- First Post
Morkel hails 'natural leader' Siraj after Indian pacers fight back at The Oval on Day 4: 'He gives the team that spark'
India bowling coach Morne Morkel was all praise for senior pacer Mohammed Siraj, who struck twice during England's chase of the 3740run target at The Oval to move to the top of the wicket-takers' list for the series. read more India pacer Mohammed Siraj moved to the top of the wicket-takers' list for the ongoing series after dismissing England captain Ollie Pope on Day 4 of the fifth Test at The Oval. Reuters India bowling coach Morne Morkel heaped praise on Mohammed Siraj for his consistency in the tour of England, in which the senior pacer is set to finish as the leading wicket-taker at the end of the fifth and final Test at The Oval. Siraj had dismissed England opener Zak Crawley at the stroke of stumps on Saturday to leave England at 50/1 in their chase of 374, and trapped stand-in captain Ollie Pope LBW on Day 4 to collect his 20th wicket of the series, which took him past England's Josh Tongue to the top of the wicket-takers' list. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD South African pace legend Morkel heaped praise on Siraj after a , adding that the 30-year-old pacer from Hyderabad was finally getting the recognition that he deserves. 'Siraj has been outstanding. He's a natural leader - doesn't say much, but his actions drive the group. I'm really pleased he's getting the recognition. Whether it's an extra spell or lifting the crowd when things go flat, he gives the team that spark,' Morkel told reporters after stumps on the penultimate day. 'He just said, 'I want to play this match, I want to win it for the team.' That's the kind of attitude that wins Tests,' the 40-year-old further revealed on the topic of Siraj's workload in the five-Test series. Jasprit Bumrah, who was rested for the fifth Test as part of his workload management, is fourth on the wicket-takers' list with 14 scalps while Akash Deep and Prasidh Krishna have collected 13 each, sitting at the fifth and sixth spots respectively. With India needing four wickets to pull off a series-leveling victory in London, Siraj is set to finish as the most successful bowler in the 2025 Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Can't afford to throw in the towel' The penultimate day of the final Test witnessed one of the most dramatic days of cricket across the series, setting up a thrilling conclusion on the final day even if the match is likely to conclude before lunch on Monday. And Morkel, for one, felt that India could not afford to slip up heading into the final day of the series. 'The series had moments like that – up and down. We managed to break the partnership. Unfortunately, rain came in and we will come tomorrow. 'You can't afford to throw in the towel. Key was to break that partnership. Just create a bit of pressure,' Morkel added. Also Read | Brook and Root's zen-like batting, Indian pace fight back sets up fitting denouement to dramatic Test series India were firmly on top after Prasidh and Siraj dismissed Ben Duckett (54) and Ollie Pope (27) respectively, reducing England to 106/3. The in-form Harry Brook would then be handed a lifeline on 19 after a thick top-edge off a short ball from Prasidh carried the ball to long leg, where Siraj would collect the catch – only to step on the boundary cushion with his back foot, resulting in agony from joy for the bowler in a couple of seconds. Brook and Root would then go on to bring up their centuries and forge a mammoth 195-run stand that took England to 301/3, at which point the hosts appeared set for another successful 370-plus chase against India. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Indian pacers, however, refused to give up. Brook was eventually caught by Siraj off Akash's bowling shortly before tea while Prasidh struck twice shortly after tea, dismissing Jacob Bethell and Root in successive overs, leaving India needing four – or three, if an injured Chris Woakes fails to bat – wickets to win. England were 339/6 in 76.2 overs when bad light followed by a spell of heavy rain ensured all five matches in the Test series went into the final day.
India.com
6 hours ago
- India.com
Pakistan Cricket Board Issues Blanket Ban On Future Participation In WCL; Heres Why
The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced a "blanket ban" from future participation in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) citing "biased" conduct by the organisers of the tournament. The decision from the governing body of Pakistan cricket comes after India Champions forfeited two games, including the semi-final, against Pakistan Champions due to strained political relations between the two countries. Several Indian players, including Shikhar Dhawan, had voiced their refusal to face Pakistan in Birmingham in the league stage of the tournament. The two sides were slated to meet again in the semi-finals before team India opted to pull out of the game instead. Meanwhile, the PCB also criticised WCL's decision to award points to a forfeiting team. Notably, both teams shared points when India had refused to play Pakistan in the group match. 'The PCB, during its 79th BoG meeting held virtually under the chairmanship of Mohsin Naqvi reviewed with considerable disappointment WCL's appalling conduct of awarding points to a willfully forfeiting team, and the content of the press releases of the WCL announcing the cancellation of the scheduled India vs. Pakistan legends matches, which were tainted with hypocrisy and bias," the PCB said in a statement. "The contents of the said press releases highlight a duality where the narrative of 'peace through sport' is selectively applied and sporting events are held hostage to political expediency and narrow commercial interests. In light of this unfortunate development, which underscores a clear and intolerable pattern of external influence and a disregard for the principles of sporting neutrality, the Pakistan Cricket Board is compelled to take a firm stance. The PCB can no longer condone participation in an event where the fundamental principles of fair play and unbiased administration are compromised by external pressures," it added. The statement from PCB comes after its 79th board of governors meeting, held virtually under the chairmanship of Mohsin Naqvi. The virtual meeting was attended by Sumair Ahmed Syed, Salman Naseer, Zaheer Abbas, Zahid Akhtar Zaman, Sajjad Ali Khokhar, Zafarullah Jadgal, Tanveer Ahmed, Tariq Sarwar, Muhammad Ismail Qureshi, Anwaar Ahmad Khan, Adnan Malik, Usman Wahla (special invitee) and Mir Hassan Naqvi (Additional Secretary).
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
'Natural leader' Siraj is getting recognition: Morne Morkel
Mohammed Siraj (Getty Images) in London: Team India's bowling coach Morne Morkel praised Mohammed Siraj for his consistent performances in the five-match Test series against England. Siraj featured in all five games and has emerged as India's leading wicket-taker in the series with 20 scalps to his name. Defending a target of 374 in the final Test, Siraj bowled with intensity and discipline, putting England's batters under pressure. Though he has taken two wickets so far in the innings, his impact has been significant. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! He has bowled 26 overs so far in this innings — the highest among Indian bowlers. Akash Deep has bowled 20 overs, while Prasidh Krishna has delivered 22 overs. 'Akash didn't get it right today, but hopefully he produces a magic spell. I'm happy Siraj is getting recognition — he's a natural leader,' Morkel said during the post-day press conference. Poll Do you think India can level the series at 2-2? Yes, they will No, England will win It's too close to call England reached 339/6 at stumps on Day 4 after rain and bad light brought an early end to proceedings at The Oval. They need just 35 more runs to clinch a 3-1 series win. Jamie Smith (2*) and Jamie Overton (0*) are the unbeaten batters at the crease. India, meanwhile, require four wickets — potentially just three if Chris Woakes is unable to bat due to his shoulder injury — to level the series 2-2. Greenstone Lobo predicts result of India vs England fifth Test | What's in the stars? Woakes, who was seen with his arm in a sling on Sunday, might only bat one-handed if he's needed and will likely come in at No. 11. 'The series had moments like that — ups and downs. We managed to break the partnership. Unfortunately, the rain came in, and we'll come back tomorrow. You can't afford to throw in the towel. The key was to break that partnership and create a bit of pressure,' Morkel said. 'It's pretty wet out there. The ground staff has been incredible with the breaks and all… it's out of our control. Hopefully, the boys get the ball in the right areas,' he said. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
