Quetta Gladiators, after winning the toss at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, chose to bat first and posted a solid 201/9. In reply, Lahore Qalandars chased the target with a powerful batting display, clinching a 6-wicket win.
What a thrilling match! This game had all the hallmarks of a T20 classic intense drama, constant momentum shifts, and a nail-biting finish. Zimbabwean star Sikandar Raza delivered a stunning performance to guide Lahore Qalandars to victory in the PSL final with just one ball to spare.
Lahore Qalandars started strong, scoring 97 runs in the first 10 overs. However, they slowed down in the middle overs, managing only 34 runs. With 71 runs needed in the final 5 overs, Kusal Perera and Bhanuka Rajapaksa launched a counterattack.
Quetta Gladiators – 201/9
Lahore Qalandars – 204/4
After Rajapaksa fell for 14 in the 17th over, Perera and Raza took charge. They added 59 runs off just 20 balls, with Raza smashing 10 off his first two balls against Mohammad Amir.
In the last 3 overs, Lahore needed 47. Perera and Raza scored 16 and 18 runs in the 18th and 19th overs respectively. With 13 runs required from the final over, Raza hit a six and a boundary to seal the win in style.
The Gaddafi Stadium erupted with fireworks as Lahore Qalandars celebrated. Teammates lifted Sikandar Raza on their shoulders, marking a night to remember.
Lahore featured three Bangladeshi cricketers Shakib Al Hasan, Mehedi Hasan Miraz, and Rishad Hossain though only Rishad played, taking 1 wicket for 42 runs.
In the chase, Mohammad Naim scored 46 off 27 balls, while Abdullah Shafique made 41 off 28. Kusal Perera was the standout, remaining unbeaten on 62 off 31 balls. Raza also remained not out, scoring 22 off just 7 balls with 2 fours and 2 sixes.
Earlier, Hasan Nawaz led Quetta with 76 off 43 balls. Contributions also came from Abhishek Fernando (29), Faheem Ashraf (28), Rilee Rossouw (22), and Dinesh Chandimal (22). For Lahore, Shaheen Afridi took 3 wickets, Salman Mirza and Haris Rauf got 2 each, and Rishad Hossain chipped in with 1.