Suresh Raina has accumulated praise at AB de Villiers for his breathtaking knocking during the World Championships against Pakistan, because South Africa won the title on Saturday, August 2. Raina also claimed that if India played Pakistan in the semifinals, they would also crush them, but stated that players decided to give the nation the first.
While the victory in South Africa was the highlight of the tournament, it was an Indian refusal to play Pakistan during the WCL, which dominated the headlines. Raina, along with Shikhar Dhawan, Harbhajan Singh and Pathan brothers, Pulled out of his opening against Pakistan. It was supposed to be the first cricket match between the two nations after the Pahalgam attack, and the players decided to pull out because of the resistance they faced on the social media.
The match was then completely canceled, because it would be lucky, both teams were planned to play in the semifinals. Indian players, however, decided to become their call and completely pulled out of the tournament. This allowed Pakistan to get to the finals.
Raina made a statement immediately after the victory of South Africa.
“What knocking from @abdevilliers17 in the final, absolutely broken. If we play, we would also crush them, but we chose our nation above everything else.”
“Complete respect for @easytrip and @ShistantPitti for standing firmly and did not support any match with them. This is a real character,” read the statement.
How did the WCL final develop?
On Saturday it was a show de Villiers, when the South African legend gave Pakistani nad Landers on the sword with its third century of the tournament. Proteas, which needed 196 runs, chased the target in 16.5 overs, the remaining 9 goals.
De Villiers scored 120 out of 60 balls and received support from JP Duminy when South Africa dropped Pakistan to claim the title. Pakistan won the throwing and decided first to the bat and found himself in trouble when they lost Kamran Akmal soon.
Sharjeel Khan would be a top scorer for Pakistan when he hit 76 out of 44 vans and Umar Amin (36 out of 19) and Asif Ali (28 out of 15) added some fun portraits when set the target of 196 runs. South Africa was gone to the leaflet when they scored 72 runs in the first six and De Villiers went to Berserk.
Despite the loss of Hasim Amly, just at the time PowerPlay ended, Proteas refused to slow down when the dumins scored 50 out of 28 balls to provide de Villiers in Chase.
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Published on:
3rd August 2025
