WCL 2025 Final: South Africa Clinches Victory Over Pakistan in Thrilling Legends Cricket Showdown

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Key Takeaways

  • South Africa won the WCL 2025 final against Pakistan by 9 wickets, led by AB de Villiers’ century.
  • The tournament featured legends from international cricket across four UK cities, with Pakistan reaching the final after India’s withdrawal.
  • The WCL celebrates veteran players and cricket history, attracting a multigenerational audience and spotlighting geopolitical dynamics in sports.
  • Fans could stream the final live via the FanCode app and website, enhancing accessibility for global viewers.

Table of Contents

What is the WCL?

Journey to the Final

The Final: Highlights and Impact

Why this matters

Where to Watch

FAQ

Sources

What is the WCL?

The World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 enthralled cricket fans worldwide with its dramatic final held on August 2, 2025, at Edgbaston, Birmingham. The South Africa Champions triumphed over the Pakistan Champions by 9 wickets, powered by an outstanding century from AB de Villiers, sealing their WCL title in spectacular fashion[3].

Journey to the Final

Pakistan Champions finished top of the group stage, reflecting their consistent form throughout the league. However, tensions between Pakistan and India led to India’s withdrawal from the semifinal, allowing Pakistan to advance directly to the final without contesting the archrival clash[1][3].

South Africa Champions, led by the legendary AB de Villiers, fought hard to reach the summit clash, winning a thrilling semifinal to secure their spot against Pakistan. Despite a modest performance by de Villiers in the semifinal, he rose magnificently for the final, showcasing why he remains one of the game’s great finishers[1].

The Final: Highlights and Impact

The final match lived up to its billing as a nail-biter. AB de Villiers’ century was the defining factor, overshadowing Pakistan’s strong line-up, which included veterans like Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, and Misbah-ul-Haq[1]. South Africa’s commanding performance with the bat dismantled the Pakistani bowling attack, securing a comprehensive victory.

This result not only adds a prestigious title to the South African legends but also fuels cricket nostalgia and fan engagement, bringing retired greats back into the spotlight.

Why this matters

The WCL 2025 highlights the growing popularity of veterans’ T20 cricket leagues, a trend that celebrates cricket’s rich history while entertaining a multigenerational fan base. It also underscores unique geopolitical dynamics in sports, as seen with India’s exit impacting tournament pathways[1][3].

Where to Watch

Fans unable to attend the event streamed the final live via the FanCode app and website, reflecting the increasing accessibility of niche sporting events globally[1].

FAQ

When and where was the WCL 2025 final played?

The final was held on August 2, 2025, at Edgbaston, Birmingham.

Who won the WCL 2025?

South Africa Champions secured the victory over Pakistan by 9 wickets, led by AB de Villiers’ century.

How did Pakistan reach the final?

Pakistan finished top of the group stage. They advanced directly to the final after India withdrew from the semifinal due to tensions between the countries.

What was notable about AB de Villiers’ performance?

He scored a century in the final, which was a decisive factor in South Africa’s win, and demonstrated his enduring skill and finishing ability.

Sources