Lahore Qalandars lifted the Pakistan Super League (PSL) trophy for a record third time after a dominant performance against the Quetta Gladiators, joining Islamabad United as the only teams to achieve this milestone.
Chasing a formidable target of 202, the Qalandars came out with intent. Openers Mohammad Naeem and Fakhar Zaman set the tone with a brisk 39-run partnership. Fakhar’s innings was short-lived, however, as Abrar Ahmed dismissed him for 11 off 10 balls.
Abdullah Shafique then joined Naeem at the crease, and the duo accelerated the scoring rate, building a vital second-wicket stand. Naeem played a fiery knock, smashing 47 runs off 27 balls, including one boundary and six towering sixes. His innings ended when Faheem Ashraf broke the partnership at 85-2 in the 9th over.
Shafique continued his fluent form, adding 30 more runs alongside Kusal Perera. He scored 41 off 28 balls before falling to Usman Tariq, leaving the Qalandars at 115-3 in the 13th over.
Perera, anchoring the innings, received support from Bhanuka Rajapaksa, but the pair faced resistance from Quetta’s bowlers, pushing the required run rate above 10. Mohammad Amir brought Quetta back into the game by dismissing Rajapaksa for 14 (16 balls), reducing Lahore to 145-4 in the 17th over.
Enter Sikandar Raza, who immediately turned the game on its head. Smashing back-to-back boundaries off Amir, Raza eased the mounting pressure. At the other end, Perera brought up a crucial half-century off just 28 balls.
With 13 runs needed from the final over, Raza held his nerve, sealing the victory with a four and a six to finish the match with one ball to spare.
Quetta’s Innings: Bright Start Fizzles Out
Earlier, after electing to bat first, Quetta Gladiators suffered an early blow as captain Saud Shakeel fell to Shaheen Afridi for just 4. Finn Allen followed shortly, dismissed by Salman Mirza for 12, leaving Quetta reeling at 17-2.
A 38-run partnership between Rilee Rossouw and Hasan Nawaz provided some stability before Rossouw was dismissed by Sikandar Raza for a quick 22 off 11 balls.
The middle-order chipped in with useful contributions—Fernando scored 29 (22), and Dinesh Chandimal struck a brisk 22 (13) featuring two sixes in the 17th over.
Hasan Nawaz anchored the innings with a superb 76 off 43 balls before Afridi returned to dismiss both Chandimal and Nawaz in the 18th over.
Faheem Ashraf played a blinder at the death, hammering 28 off just 8 balls to power Quetta past the 200-run mark. He was dismissed on the final ball of the innings.
Navy Honored in Patriotic Ceremony
During the innings break, the PSL paid tribute to the Pakistan Navy. The ceremony, held at a packed Gaddafi Stadium, featured performances by popular artists including Abrar Ahmed, and highlighted the sacrifices and professionalism of the naval force.
Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, U.S. Embassy Charge D’affaires Natalie Baker, and other senior military and civil officials were in attendance. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi welcomed the dignitaries.
The stadium buzzed with patriotic chants as fans waved green and white flags, creating a stirring atmosphere in celebration of national pride.
