Overview

• AB de Villiers ended Australia Champions’ chase by collecting a yorker hit to long-on and firing a direct throw to run out Nathan Coulter-Nile, sealing a one-run win at Edgbaston.
• Half-centuries from JJ Smuts (57 off 41) and Morne van Wyk (76 off 32) propelled South Africa to 186-8 before Peter Siddle’s 4-30 in disciplined death bowling kept the contest tense.
• As captain and the tournament’s leading run-scorer with 303 runs at a 231.23 strike rate, de Villiers has driven South Africa’s campaign with bat and in the field.
• Pakistan Champions reached the final via a walkover after India Champions forfeited their semi-final amid diplomatic tensions, maintaining their unbeaten streak.
• The WCL 2025 final will be held at Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham on August 2 at 9 PM IST, pitting South Africa Champions against Pakistan Champions.