Monitoring Desk
Lahore Qalandars completed one of the most dramatic run chases in HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) history to seal their third title in four seasons, defeating Quetta Gladiators in a nerve-wracking final at a packed Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday night.
Chasing a formidable target of 202, Qalandars needed 57 runs off the last 20 balls when Sikandar Raza joined Kusal Perera at the crease. What followed was a breathtaking counterattack, capped off by a last-over finish that saw Lahore win with just one ball to spare.
Perera, who only joined the side mid-season due to interruptions caused by Pakistan-India tensions, played a match-winning knock of 62 off just 31 balls, laced with four sixes and five boundaries. Raza, arriving just minutes before the toss after flying in from England post a Test match for Zimbabwe, added a quickfire 22 off 7 balls, finishing the game with an audacious six over point.
Earlier, Shaheen Shah Afridi set the tone with the ball, claiming 3-24, including the early wickets of Saud Shakeel and Finn Allen. However, Quetta’s momentum surged with Hasan Nawaz’s explosive 76 off 43 balls, and cameos from Dinesh Chandimal (22) and Faheem Ashraf (28 not out), lifting them to 201-9.
Quetta looked firmly in control for most of the match. After losing openers early, they posted 100-3 at the halfway mark, thanks to Nawaz’s clean hitting and Rilee Rossouw’s aggressive start. Despite some quick wickets in the death overs, Faheem’s late surge ensured they crossed the 200-run mark.
In reply, Mohammad Naeem gave Qalandars a fiery start, smashing 46 off 27 balls, including six towering sixes. Abdullah Shafique supported well with 41 off 28, but the required rate ballooned after a mid-innings slowdown. The turning point came when Raza and Perera took charge, tearing into Quetta’s death bowlers, particularly Mohammad Amir and Khurram Shahzad.
With 13 needed off the final over, Raza struck a decisive six and a wristy boundary to seal the win. The stadium erupted as Shaheen Afridi hoisted Raza in celebration, the Qalandars completing a comeback that will go down as one of the finest in PSL history.
Quetta, who last won the title in 2019, were left devastated after coming so close, undone by a combination of late pressure and inspired batting from the Qalandars’ finishing duo.
