Lahore Qalandars Clinch Third PSL Title with Thrilling Six-Wicket Win Over Quetta Gladiators
Lahore, April 28, 2025 – Lahore Qalandars secured their third Pakistan Super League (PSL) championship in four years by defeating Quetta Gladiators by six wickets in a thrilling final at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
Chasing a challenging target of 202 runs, the Qalandars reached the total on the fifth ball of the final over, finishing at 202 for 4. This victory adds to their previous PSL titles won in 2022 and 2023, underscoring their dominance in the league.
Quetta Gladiators’ Innings: Strong Total Powered by Hasan Nawaz
Quetta Gladiators won the toss and elected to bat first. They posted a competitive 201 for 9 in their 20 overs, largely thanks to a commanding innings by Hasan Nawaz, who scored a blistering 76 runs off 43 balls. Nawaz’s explosive hitting, including multiple towering sixes and quick scoring, kept the scoreboard ticking despite early wickets.
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Supporting Nawaz, Avishka Fernando contributed a steady 29 runs, while Rilee Rossouw added 22 runs. Late in the innings, Faheem Ashraf electrified the crowd with a rapid 28 runs off 8 balls, including three sixes in the final over, pushing Quetta beyond the 200-run mark.
Lahore’s bowling attack was led by captain Shaheen Afridi, who took 3 wickets, while Haris Rauf and Salman Mirza claimed 2 wickets each. Sikandar Raza and Rishad Hossain chipped in with one wicket apiece.
Lahore Qalandars’ Chase: A Nail-Biting Finish
In response, Lahore Qalandars paced their chase carefully. Kusal Perera anchored the innings with an unbeaten 61 runs, while Mohammad Naeem added 46 runs and Abdullah Shafique contributed a crucial 41 runs.
Sikandar Raza’s late surge was pivotal; he smashed 22 runs off just 7 balls, significantly accelerating the innings in the final overs and helping Qalandars cross the finish line with four wickets in hand.
Quetta’s bowling efforts saw wickets from Mohammad Amir, Faheem Ashraf, Abrar Ahmed, and Usman Tariq, each claiming one.
Injury Setback and Team Changes
Quetta suffered a blow when Asif Ali was ruled out due to a collision with Mohammad Naeem during fielding, forcing him out of the match and leaving Quetta short-handed for the chase. Mohammad Akhlaq was brought in as a concussion substitute for Ali.
Highlights from Toss and Pre-Match Statements
At the toss, Quetta captain Saud Shakeel expressed confidence in setting a competitive total to pressure Lahore’s strong bowling lineup. “We aim to put up a strong total and stay calm under pressure,” he said. Quetta made one change, bringing in Khurram Shahzad for Wasim Junior.
Lahore captain Shaheen Afridi praised his balanced squad with international experience and welcomed Sikandar Raza back to the final lineup. He also thanked the passionate Lahore crowd for their unwavering support.
Special Ceremony Honors Pakistan Navy
The final featured a special ceremony honoring the Pakistan Navy. Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, Interior Minister, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, and Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb attended the event. US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker was also present.
Team Line-Ups
Lahore Qalandars: Fakhar Zaman, Muhammad Naeem, Abdullah Shafique, Kusal Perera (wk), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Asif Ali, Sikandar Raza, Shaheen Afridi (c), Rishad Hossain, Salman Mirza, Haris Rauf
Quetta Gladiators: Saud Shakeel (c), Abrar Ahmed, Hassan Nawaz, Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Avishka Fernando, Rilee Rossouw, Mohammad Amir, Khurram Shahzad, Faheem Ashraf, Usman Tariq, Finn Allen
Summary
The final was marked by aggressive batting, tactical bowling, and tense moments, with both teams showing resilience. Lahore’s ability to chase a high total under pressure showcased their championship pedigree and cemented their place as one of PSL’s most successful franchises.
