Lahore Qalandars clinched their third Pakistan Super League (PSL) title by defeating Quetta Gladiators in the final. In a thrilling finale held on Sunday night at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Lahore secured a dominant six-wicket victory.
Three Bangladeshi cricketers—Shakib Al Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and Rishad Hossain—were part of the victorious Lahore squad. However, only Rishad got the opportunity to play in the final.
Quetta Gladiators won the toss and opted to bat first. Their start wasn’t ideal, as they lost two crucial wickets early in the innings. Later, a superb half-century from Hasan Nawaz and a quickfire cameo from Faheem Ashraf helped Quetta post a fighting total of 201 for 9 in the allotted 20 overs.
Hasan Nawaz scored 76 off 43 balls with 8 fours and 4 sixes. Faheem Ashraf added a blistering 28 runs from just 8 balls at the death. For Lahore, Shaheen Afridi claimed 3 wickets, while Salman Mirza and Haris Rauf picked up 2 wickets each. Rishad Hossain and Sikandar Raza took one wicket apiece.
Chasing 202, Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Naim gave Lahore a flying start. However, Fakhar was dismissed LBW by Abrar Ahmed in the fourth over. Naim then formed a 70-run partnership with Abdullah Shafique. Naim scored 46 off 27 balls, while Shafique added 41 off 28 balls.
Although Bhanuka Rajapaksa fell for 14 midway through the chase, Sikandar Raza and Kusal Perera steered Lahore home in a dramatic final over. With 31 runs needed from the last 12 balls, both batters launched a late assault.
Kusal Perera remained unbeaten on 62 off 31 balls, while Sikandar Raza stayed not out on 22 from 7 balls. Lahore Qalandars sealed victory with one ball to spare.
