The India Champions’ refusal to face the Pakistan Champions during a recent T20 tournament stirred up significant controversy. Led by Yuvraj Singh, the Indian side—defending champions of the World Championship of Legends (WCL)—opted to forfeit both a league match and the semifinal against Pakistan, effectively eliminating themselves from the competition.

Their withdrawal paved the way for Pakistan to reach the final unbeaten, with four wins from five matches and one no-result—the cancelled clash with India. However, their dream run came to a crashing halt in the final, where the South African champions demolished them.

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Former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina, part of Yuvraj’s squad, praised South Africa’s dominant display, particularly AB de Villiers’ spectacular century. “What a knock by @ABdeVilliers17 in the final, absolutely smashed it,” Raina wrote on X. He then added, “Had we played, we would’ve crushed them (Pakistan) too, but we chose our nation above everything else.”

What a knock by @ABdeVilliers17 in the final, absolutely smashed it

Had we played, we would’ve crushed them too, but we chose our nation above everything else.

Full respect to @EaseMyTrip and @nishantpitti for standing firm and not supporting any match involving them. That’s…

— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) August 2, 2025

In the final, Pakistan batted first and posted 195/5, thanks to a fiery 75 off 44 balls from Sharjeel Khan. South Africa’s Wayne Parnell and Hardus Viljoen claimed two wickets apiece. But the chase was one-way traffic.

AB de Villiers, continuing his sublime form, hammered an unbeaten 120 off just 60 balls, laced with 12 boundaries and seven sixes. JP Duminy supported him with a 50* off 28 deliveries, as South Africa sealed the win in 16.5 overs with nine wickets in hand.

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Following the controversy, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced a blanket ban on its players from future editions of the WCL. “The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announces that it is issuing a blanket ban from future participation in the World Championship of Legends (WCL),” the official statement read.