Richard Levi
Faf du Plessis
AB de Villiers
Colin Ingram
Sarel Erwee
Morne van Wyk✱
Fidel Edwards
Rayad Emrit
Carlos Brathwaite
Sulieman Benn
Raymon Reifer
Chris Gayle
Lendl Simmons
Jermaine Blackwood
Chadwick Walton
Dwayne Bravo
Wayne Parnell
Marchant de Lange
Robbie Frylinck
Imran Tahir
Aaron Phangiso
When Richard Levi launched his 87‑run blitz off just 39 balls, the Sharjah crowd knew they were witnessing a match‑defining onslaught. The South Africa Champions (SACH) surged to 242‑5, a total that seemed unassailable, and eventually demolished West Indies Champions (WICH) for 145 in just 18.2 overs, sealing a dominant victory in the World Championship of Legends 2026.
Match Summary
Winning the toss, South Africa Champions elected to bat under partly cloudy skies with a humid 32.8 °C temperature. The opening partnership got off to a shaky start, but the middle order exploded. Levi, the former England T20 star, smashed 87 runs off 39 deliveries, peppering the boundary with 11 fours and 6 sixes. He was ably supported by AB de Villiers, who contributed a blistering 70 off 39 balls, including a stunning 8‑ball over that featured 4 sixes. The duo propelled SACH to a massive South Africa Champions T20 score of 242‑5 in the allotted 20 overs.
West Indies Champions, chasing a daunting target, began with promise as Chris Gayle unleashed a quickfire 60 off 31 balls. However, the South African bowlers, led by Fidel Edwards (1/43 in 4 overs) and Rayad Emrit (1/37 in 4 overs), kept the pressure on. Marchant de Lange (1/22 in 3 overs) and Robbie Frylinck (2/22 in 3.2 overs) added crucial breakthroughs, and the West Indies innings folded at 145‑10, ending the match with 1.8 overs to spare.
Key Performances
Richard Levi (SACH) – 87 runs off 39 balls, strike rate 223.08. His innings featured a 15‑run over that swung the momentum irrevocably in South Africa’s favour.
AB de Villiers (SACH) – 70 runs off 39 balls, strike rate 179.48. De Villiers’ elegant strokeplay complemented Levi’s power hitting, ensuring the run rate never dipped below 12 per over.
Fidel Edwards (SACH) – 1/43 in 4 overs. While expensive, Edwards delivered the crucial wicket of Gayle, breaking the West Indian partnership.
Rayad Emrit (SACH) – 1/37 in 4 overs, maintaining tight lines that restricted run‑scoring in the death overs.
Chris Gayle (WICH) – 60 runs off 31 balls, strike rate 193.55. Gayle’s fireworks were the lone highlight for the West Indies side.
Robbie Frylinck (WICH) – 2/22 in 3.2 overs, a rare bright spot for the visitors, showcasing his skill in limited‑overs conditions.
Turning Points
The match hinged on three decisive moments. First, Levi’s explosive 20‑run over in the 12th over lifted the required run‑rate to an almost impossible level for the chase. Second, the wicket of Gayle by Edwards in the 15th over broke the West Indian momentum, leading to a cascade of quick wickets. Finally, the final over bowled by Emrit, where he conceded just 5 runs, sealed the victory, confirming South Africa’s dominance.
Series Implications
This win gives South Africa Champions a crucial 1‑0 lead in the World Championship of Legends 2026 series, overturning the previous head‑to‑head record where West Indies held a solitary win. The emphatic victory not only boosts South Africa’s confidence but also sends a clear message to other contenders about their batting depth and finishing firepower. For West Indies Champions, the loss highlights a need to tighten their middle‑order strategy and develop more effective death‑over plans.
Fans searching for the World Championship of Legends 2026 live score will find the full scoreboard and ball‑by‑ball commentary on the tournament’s official site. The match also contributes to the growing archive of South Africa Champions vs West Indies Champions T20 Sund encounters, a rivalry that promises more fireworks as the series progresses.