In a nail-biting Pakistan Super League (PSL) final, Lahore Qalandars clinched their third PSL title after a breathtaking chase against Quetta Gladiators, becoming only the second team in tournament history to achieve this feat after Islamabad United.
Set a daunting target of 202 runs, Lahore Qalandars PSL triumph was built on a fearless batting display and a composed finish that had fans on the edge of their seats. Openers Mohammad Naeem and Fakhar Zaman laid a solid 39-run foundation before Fakhar fell to Abrar Ahmed for 11 off 10 balls.
Naeem, however, kept the scoreboard ticking and forged a crucial second-wicket stand with Abdullah Shafique. The 26-year-old Naeem looked in sublime form, smashing six towering sixes in his 47-run blitz off just 27 deliveries before falling to Faheem Ashraf. By then, Lahore were cruising at 85-2 in under nine overs.
Shafique carried the momentum forward, playing with confidence and timing. His 41 off 28 balls, laced with four boundaries and a six, proved vital as he partnered with Kusal Perera to keep Lahore in the hunt. Perera, showing class under pressure, struck a blistering fifty off just 28 balls to keep hopes alive.
Congratulations Lahore, this one’s for you!
— Lahore Qalandars (@lahoreqalandars) May 25, 2025
Lahore Qalandars win the HBL PSL 10 Final by 6 wickets. pic.twitter.com/xOV4Sznnxx
The match tilted in Quetta's favour when Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Shafique departed in quick succession, with the required run rate climbing above 10. But Sikandar Raza turned the tide once again, hammering back-to-back boundaries off Mohammad Amir and reducing the equation to 47 off 18 balls.
In a dramatic final over with 13 needed, Raza held his nerve and smashed a four and a six to seal Lahore Qalandars PSL triumph with just one ball to spare, sending fans into a frenzy.
Earlier, after winning the toss and choosing to bat, Quetta Gladiators got off to a rocky start. Captain Saud Shakeel was sent back for just 4 runs by Shaheen Afridi, followed by the early departure of Finn Allen courtesy of Salman Mirza.
Despite early setbacks, Hasan Nawaz stood tall with a brilliant 76 off 43 balls. Supported by Rilee Rossouw and later Dinesh Chandimal, Nawaz anchored the innings. Chandimal's cameo and Faheem Ashraf’s explosive 28 off just 8 balls in the death overs pushed Quetta to a formidable 200-run total.
But it wasn’t enough to stop the defending champions. With this win, Lahore Qalandars PSL triumph now ranks among the tournament’s most memorable moments—powered by fearless batting, smart bowling, and nerves of steel in crunch moments.
