LAHORE: Lahore Qalandars clinched their third Pakistan Super League title after they decimated Quetta Gladiators by six wickets in the tournament’s 10th edition clinical final at the packed Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday night.
The victory, achieved with one ball to spare, marked another chapter in the Qalandars’ recent dominance of Pakistan’s premier T20 competition, adding to their previous triumphs in PSL 7 and 8 (2022, 2023).
In their chase of Quetta’s 201 for nine, Lahore clobbered 204 for four in 19.5 overs. The foundation for this comprehensive victory was laid by a magnificent chase orchestrated by Kusal Perera, who remained unbeaten on 62 runs off 31 balls, striking five boundaries and four towering sixes. His match-winning knock was perfectly complemented by Sikandar Raza’s explosive cameo of 22 not out from just 7 balls, featuring two fours and two sixes, as the pair added an unbroken 59 runs for the fifth wicket to seal the title in an emphatic fashion.
The Qalandars’ pursuit of 202 runs got off to a steady start with an opening partnership of 39 runs between Fakhar Zaman (11) and Mohammad Naeem, before Naeem took center stage with a blistering knock of 46 runs off 26 balls. His innings, which included one four and six maximums, provided the early momentum that would prove crucial in the successful chase. Abdullah Shafique continued the aggressive approach with a well-constructed 41 runs off 28 balls, hitting four boundaries and a six, as he combined with Naeem for a second-wicket partnership of 46 runs that kept the required run rate within manageable limits.
However, the turning point of the match came in the 19th over of Quetta’s bowling effort, when Mohammad Amir’s expensive spell conceded 18 crucial runs, effectively sealing the Gladiators’ fate. The veteran left-arm pacer, who had been expected to deliver in the pressure moments, instead provided the Qalandars with the breathing space they needed to cruise home. Amir finished with figures of 1 for 41, while his bowling colleagues Faheem Ashraf (1-49), Abrar Ahmed (1-27), and Usman Tariq (1-38) also proved expensive as the Gladiators’ bowling attack wilted under pressure.
The drama wasn’t limited to the cricket action, as the match witnessed an unfortunate collision between Mohammad Naeem and Asif Ali during the 12th over, which forced the Qalandars to use a concussion substitute. Mohammad Akhlaq replaced Asif Ali for the remainder of the innings, highlighting the physical intensity of the high-stakes encounter.
Earlier in the day, Hasan Nawaz had played a match-defining knock of 76 runs off 43 balls to guide the 2019 PSL champions Quetta Gladiators to what seemed like a competitive total of 201 for 9 wickets. After winning the toss and electing to bat first, the Gladiators found themselves in early trouble at 21 for 2 within the first four overs, losing both openers Saud Shakeel (4) and Finn Allen (12) cheaply to Shaheen Shah Afridi’s inspired bowling.
Rilee Rossouw provided some respite with a quickfire 22 off 11 balls, striking four boundaries and a six, before departing in the seventh over with the score at 58 for 3. It was then that Hasan Nawaz took charge of the innings, building crucial partnerships and accelerating the scoring rate with his aggressive stroke play. The wicket-keeper batsman’s innings was studded with eight fours and four towering sixes, as he counter-attacked the Qalandars’ bowling attack with remarkable composure under pressure.
Avishka Fernando complemented Nawaz’s efforts with a valuable contribution of 29 runs off 22 balls, hitting six boundaries to maintain the momentum in the middle overs. The partnership between Nawaz and Fernando of 67 runs steadied the ship before Fernando’s dismissal in the 13th over triggered another mini collapse. Dinesh Chandimal provided late fireworks with a quickfire 22 off 13 balls, including two massive sixes, while Faheem Ashraf chipped in with 12 runs off just 4 balls featuring a four and a six.
However, the innings took a dramatic turn in the final three overs as Qalandars’ bowlers, led by Shaheen Shah Afridi, struck back with a flurry of wickets. Afridi finished with impressive figures of 3 for 24, proving why he remains one of the most feared fast bowlers in T20 cricket. Salman Mirza and Haris Rauf claimed two wickets each, though at a higher cost of 51 and 41 runs respectively, while Sikandar Raza and Rishad Hossain also chipped in with a wicket apiece. The Gladiators lost five wickets for just 30 runs between the 171-run mark and the end of their innings, a collapse that ultimately proved costly despite Nawaz’s heroic efforts.
The final was graced by several distinguished guests, with President Asif Ali Zardari serving as the guest of honour for the closing ceremony. He had arrived from Islamabad early Sunday morning specifically to attend the title match. The presence of Pakistan Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf, US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker, Federal Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb, and various political leaders and high civil and military officials added to the grandeur of the occasion.
In a touching tribute during the day’s proceedings, the Pakistan Navy received special recognition in the presence of Admiral Naveed Ashraf, who keenly witnessed the tribute ceremony. This activity was marked to celebrate the Pakistan armed forces’ valor that humbled India in Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, with the Pakistan Navy being formally honored during the innings break of the final. Similar ceremonies had earlier paid tribute to the Pakistan Army and Air Force, showcasing the nation’s appreciation for its military services.
The PSL-X champions collected a prize of US$500,000 along with the coveted silverware, while the runners-up received US$200,000, marking the end of another successful edition of Pakistan’s premier T20 tournament. For the Qalandars, this victory represents the continuation of their golden era in PSL cricket, while the Gladiators will rue the missed opportunity to add to their solitary title from 2019.
The match concluded with Lahore Qalandars reaching 204 for 4 in 19.5 overs, a comprehensive victory that showcased their depth, skill, and mental fortitude when it mattered most. As the confetti fell and celebrations began at the Gaddafi Stadium, the Qalandars had once again proved why they remain the standard-bearers of PSL cricket.