Edgbaston, Birmingham, August 3, 2025:
South Africa Champions, led by AB de Villiers, clinched the World Championship of Legends 2025 trophy with a spectacular nine-wicket victory over Pakistan Champions in a packed final at Edgbaston. De Villiers, who was also awarded Player of the Tournament, capped off his incredible campaign by hammering a match-winning 120* off just 60 balls—his third century of the tournament.
Pakistan, who qualified directly for the final after topping the group stage and a walk-over in the semis, opted to bat first and set a formidable total of 196. However, De Villiers—despite battling a limp—made the chase look effortless, hitting boundaries at will and dominating the opposition bowlers. JP Duminy gave solid support, finishing with 50* off 28 balls, and brought up the winning runs with a six, sealing the title with 19 balls to spare.
Key Highlights
- AB de Villiers’ Performance: Scored 120* (60 balls) in the final, becoming the tournament’s leading run-scorer by a huge margin. He registered three centuries in WCL 2025.
- Wayne Parnell’s Contribution: Delivered crucial spells in the knockouts and was one of the standout bowlers of the tournament, collecting 11 wickets overall.
- Pakistan’s Batting: Despite Sharjeel Khan’s explosive 76, Pakistan’s total fell short against the sheer dominance of de Villiers and Duminy.
Also Read This: Brendan Taylor Returns to Zimbabwe Test Squad After Completing ICC Ban for Corruption Charges
Viral Celebration: The ‘Aura Farming’ Dance
After securing the championship, the South African team, led by Wayne Parnell, celebrated by recreating the viral ‘aura farming’ dance. Parnell performed the distinctive moves—borrowed from a social media meme inspired by Indonesia’s Pacu Jalur boat festival—while his teammates mimicked rowing in unison, with de Villiers joining in as the team soaked up the win. The moment has since gone viral, symbolizing both teamwork and the effortless brilliance associated with AB de Villiers’ career.
Tournament Summary
- AB De Villiers: Player of the Tournament, top run-scorer with three centuries
- Parnell: Top wicket-taker with 11 wickets
- Duminy: 50* in the final to finish the run chase in style
De Villiers’ performance underlines why he remains one of cricket’s most mesmerizing talents, even years after his initial international retirement.
Follow All India Insights for breaking updates on this evolving Southeast Asia crisis. We’ll keep you posted with verified reports, background context, and diplomatic developments. Others on this like Hindustantimes.