In the 2025 World Championship of Legends (WCL) final, Pakistan suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of South Africa. Batting first, Pakistan posted a total of 195 runs on the board, thanks to a half-century by Sharjeel Khan. However, South Africa chased down the target with ease in just 16.5 overs, losing only one wicket. The hero of South Africa’s victory was none other than AB de Villiers, who played a spectacular knock, scoring a brilliant 120 runs, his third century of the season.
Following this crushing defeat for Pakistan, former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina’s reaction has gone viral. Raina took to social media, where he praised de Villiers for his outstanding performance in the final and also expressed what could have been, had India been a part of the match.
Suresh Raina’s Viral Post on AB de Villiers’ Performance
After the match, Raina shared his thoughts on X (formerly known as Twitter), where he acknowledged the brilliance of de Villiers’ century. He wrote, “What an incredible innings by AB de Villiers in the final! He truly dominated the match. If we were playing, we would have crushed them too, but we kept our country first. Full respect to Ezytrip and Nishantpitti, who stood firm in supporting the boycott of any match involving them. This is the true character.”
Raina’s post drew significant attention, especially his remark about India’s hypothetical dominance over Pakistan had the match taken place. While praising de Villiers, Raina made it clear that India’s decision to not participate in the WCL 2025, due to the ongoing political tensions, was driven by patriotism.
India’s Boycott of the WCL Semi-Final
India was supposed to face Pakistan in the semi-final of the World Championship of Legends 2025. However, Indian players decided to boycott the match due to the ongoing tensions related to the Pahalgam attack. As a result, the match between India and Pakistan was called off, and both teams were awarded one point each. This decision left Pakistan to move forward to the final without any contest.
While the semi-final match between India and Pakistan was expected to be one of the most anticipated encounters, the boycott meant that the game never took place. Raina’s comments came after Pakistan’s embarrassing loss in the final, where they were outclassed by South Africa, especially due to the blistering performance by AB de Villiers.
India’s Stance on Playing Against Pakistan in the WCL
The situation surrounding India’s participation in the tournament was tense right from the beginning. When India and Pakistan were scheduled to face off in the league stages, India opted to boycott the match, resulting in the cancellation of the encounter. As the Indian team chose not to participate, the match officials awarded one point to each team.
The decision was part of India’s larger stance regarding the current political and security situation. In the semi-final, even though the match was set to feature India versus Pakistan, India’s refusal to play the match remained unchanged. As a result, India’s exit from the tournament was inevitable, marking the end of their hopes for a back-to-back title defense.
India’s Historic Win in the First Season of WCL
India had been the champion of the first season of the World Championship of Legends. Their triumph in the inaugural season of WCL marked a significant achievement in the tournament’s history. However, in 2025, political unrest led to India’s exclusion from participating in the tournament at critical stages. Despite the tough situation, India’s pride and dignity were given utmost priority, with the boycott of Pakistan matches serving as a demonstration of the country’s position.
India’s win in the first season of WCL continues to be remembered fondly by cricket fans. With strong performances from key players, India had established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the tournament.
AB de Villiers Shines in WCL 2025 Final
In the final against Pakistan, AB de Villiers’ performance was nothing short of extraordinary. His knock of 120 runs in 16.5 overs played a key role in securing the victory for South Africa. His form during the tournament had already been exceptional, with the South African legend scoring three centuries in the season. His performance was a testament to his skill, adaptability, and experience at the highest level of cricket.
Despite the political backdrop, de Villiers was able to showcase his brilliance in the match, which became a talking point across social media. The fact that Pakistan couldn’t respond to de Villiers’ dominance added to the humiliation of their loss.
Pakistan’s Struggles in the Final
Pakistan’s performance in the final was disappointing, especially considering the pressure they were under after their match with India was canceled. The team struggled to score consistently and failed to defend a modest target of 196. The pressure to deliver on the big stage was evident, and the South African team capitalized on every opportunity to seal an easy win.
Sharjeel Khan’s half-century was the only positive for Pakistan, but it was not enough to make an impact against South Africa’s dominant batting performance. Despite their strong start, Pakistan’s inability to take control of the match resulted in a comprehensive loss.
Political Tensions Overshadow Cricketing Spirit
The political tension surrounding India and Pakistan has often spilled into the cricketing world, with incidents like this casting a shadow over the sport. While cricket should ideally remain a platform for unity and sportsmanship, the ongoing conflicts between the two nations continue to disrupt their encounters in international tournaments.
Suresh Raina’s comments highlight the frustration that many feel about the situation, as cricket fans on both sides of the border miss the opportunity for a healthy competition. Despite the political tensions, the focus now shifts to the performances on the field, where players like AB de Villiers have shown the true spirit of the game.
The World Championship of Legends 2025 saw a number of unexpected twists and outcomes. South Africa emerged as champions after their dominant win in the final. The tournament also saw Pakistan’s hopes crushed by the brilliance of AB de Villiers. However, the biggest story was India’s decision to boycott the matches against Pakistan, which was a clear statement about the country’s stance on the ongoing issues.
Suresh Raina’s reaction to Pakistan’s loss shows that cricket fans are passionate about the game, even when the political situation complicates things. The outcome of this year’s WCL may have been different if India had participated, but the political situation made that impossible. As cricket fans, we can only hope that, one day, the game will be free from such tensions, and players can compete on the field for the love of the sport.
This year’s WCL will be remembered not just for the final result but also for the politics that shaped the matches leading up to it. As India focuses on maintaining its integrity and national interest, the sporting world awaits more such exciting tournaments where the true essence of the game can prevail.
