Lahore Qalandars pulled off a sensational run chase to win their third Pakistan Super League (PSL) title, riding on a fiery finish from Kusal Perera and Sikandar Raza. Chasing a stiff 202-run target set by Quetta Gladiators in the final at Gaddafi Stadium, they got over the line with one ball to spare—marking the highest-ever successful chase in a T20 final.
It came down to the last 20 balls, with Lahore still needing 57 runs—a daunting equation by any standard. But Perera and Raza turned the game on its head.
Facing a low full toss from Faheem Ashraf, Sikandar Raza struck it powerfully to deep midwicket for four. As the ball sped past the boundary rope, Raza leapt into the air, fist-pumping with a roar. His teammates rushed from the dugout, embracing him, with one even hoisting him onto their shoulders. That boundary clinched the title for Lahore—with just one ball to spare.
Ironically, Raza’s presence in the final was far from guaranteed. The Zimbabwean all-rounder had just played a Test in England the day before and landed in Lahore barely 10 minutes before the toss. Yet, he not only made the playing XI but played a decisive cameo—22 runs off just 7 balls, including two fours and two sixes. With 8 needed off 3 balls, Raza delivered—smashing a six and a four to seal a historic win.
Kusal Perera, the true architect of the chase, smashed 62* off 31 balls with 5 fours and 4 sixes. He had also played a key knock (61 off 35) in the second qualifier that took them to the final.
Among the Lahore squad were three Bangladeshis—Shakib Al Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and Rishad Hossain. Only Rishad played in the final, but all three celebrated with the trophy.
Quetta had posted 201/9, thanks to a brutal 76 off 44 balls from Hasan Nawaz and a rapid 28 off 8 from Faheem Ashraf. Despite early wickets, Quetta rebuilt steadily, but Lahore’s bowling at the death—especially from captain Shaheen Shah Afridi (4-0-24-3)—kept them in check.
During Lahore’s chase, Fakhar Zaman fell early, but Mohammad Naeem (46 off 27) and Abdullah Shafique (41 off 28) provided momentum. That set the stage for the Perera-Raza finale.
Notably, this chase broke the previous record for the highest successful chase in a T20 final—held by Kolkata Knight Riders, who chased 200 in the 2014 IPL final.
Raza walked in with Lahore needing 57 off 20. He began with a four and six off Mohammad Amir, who had earlier bowled tightly. In the 18th over, Perera smacked two sixes off Khurram Shahzad, collecting 16 runs. Then in Amir’s 19th over, he struck a four followed by a six to reduce the requirement to 13 off the last over.
Faheem’s first three balls (including a wide) went for 5, before Raza finished things off.
Quetta’s innings earlier had seen top-order struggles, but Hasan Nawaz’s 76 and Chandimal’s quick 22 helped them cross 200. Afridi was the standout bowler for Lahore, while Rishad Hossain took 1 for 42 in 4 overs. Though expensive, Rishad had contributed heavily in earlier matches—taking 13 wickets in 7 games with an economy of 9.33.
Shakib, returning to competitive cricket after nearly six months, played two matches but struggled for runs. Mehidy Miraz, who joined before the playoffs, didn’t get a chance to play but still ends the season with a winner’s medal in his debut overseas franchise league.
Lahore now join Islamabad United as the only franchises to win the PSL three times, having also claimed titles in 2022 and 2023 under Afridi’s leadership.
Match Summary
- Quetta Gladiators: 201/9 (Hasan Nawaz 76, Chandimal 22; Shaheen Afridi 3/24, Salman 2/51, Rauf 2/41)
- Lahore Qalandars: 204/4 in 19.5 overs (Perera 62*, Naeem 46, Raza 22*; Amir 1/41, Abrar 1/27)
Result: Lahore Qalandars won by 6 wickets
Player of the Match: Kusal Perera
Player of the Tournament: Hasan Nawaz
