At Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Lahore Qalandars beat Quetta Gladiators in Final in a thrilling encounter, winning by six wickets with just one ball to spare. This victory marked their third Pakistan Super League (PSL) title, making them only the second team after Islamabad United to achieve this feat in the tournament’s 10-year history.
Match Summary: A Record-Breaking Chase
Experts predicted a tight contest, with Quetta’s Hasan Nawaz in form and Lahore relying on Shaheen Afridi’s bowling. Quetta Gladiators, batting first, posted a formidable 201/9 in 20 overs, driven by Hasan Nawaz’s brilliant 76 off 43 balls. Lahore Qalandars responded with a clinical chase, finishing at 204/4 in 19.5 overs, setting a new record for the highest successful chase in a T20 final. Kusal Perera’s unbeaten 62 and Sikandar Raza’s explosive 22* were pivotal, while Shaheen Afridi’s leadership shone through.
Quetta Gladiators Innings: Hasan Nawaz Shines
Quetta Gladiators started shakily, losing two wickets for 21 runs. Hasan Nawaz, the tournament’s top scorer, anchored the innings with a composed 76 off 43 balls, including eight fours and four sixes. His partnerships with Rilee Rossouw (37 runs off 19 balls) and Avishka Fernando (67 runs) steadied the ship. Dinesh Chandimal’s quick 22 and Faheem Ashraf’s explosive 28 off 8 balls, featuring three sixes in the final over, propelled Quetta to 201/9. Lahore’s bowlers, led by Shaheen Afridi (3/24), kept things tight in the death overs.
Quetta Gladiators Scorecard
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saud Shakeel (c) | 4 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 66.67 |
| Finn Allen | 12 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 109.09 |
| Rilee Rossouw | 22 | 11 | 4 | 1 | 200.00 |
| Hasan Nawaz | 76 | 43 | 8 | 4 | 176.74 |
| Avishka Fernando | 29 | 22 | 5 | 0 | 131.82 |
| Dinesh Chandimal † | 22 | 13 | 0 | 2 | 169.23 |
| Faheem Ashraf | 28 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 350.00 |
| Mohammad Amir | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Abrar Ahmed | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Khurram Shahzad | 2* | 3 | 0 | 0 | 66.67 |
| Extras | 6 | ||||
| Total | 201/9 | 20 Ov | (RR: 10.05) |
Bowling Figures for Lahore Qalandars
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shaheen Shah Afridi | 4 | 24 | 3 | 6.00 |
| Haris Rauf | 4 | 38 | 2 | 9.50 |
| Salman Mirza | 4 | 45 | 2 | 11.25 |
| Sikandar Raza | 3 | 30 | 1 | 10.00 |
| Rishad Hossain | 3 | 40 | 1 | 13.33 |
Lahore Qalandars Innings: Perera and Raza Steal the Show
Lahore Qalandars’ chase began aggressively, with Mohammad Naeem smashing 46 off 27 balls, including six sixes. Kusal Perera’s unbeaten 62 off 31 balls, with a 59-run stand alongside Sikandar Raza (22* off 7), turned the tide. Needing 13 in the final over, Raza’s six and four sealed the win.
Lahore Qalandars Scorecard
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fakhar Zaman | 11 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 110.00 |
| Mohammad Naeem | 46 | 27 | 1 | 6 | 170.37 |
| Abdullah Shafique | 41 | 28 | 4 | 1 | 146.43 |
| Kusal Perera † | 62* | 31 | 5 | 4 | 200.00 |
| Bhanuka Rajapaksa | 14 | 16 | 1 | 1 | 87.50 |
| Sikandar Raza | 22* | 7 | 2 | 2 | 314.29 |
| Extras | 8 | ||||
| Total | 204/4 | 19.5 Ov | (RR: 10.28) |
Note: On mobile, scroll horizontally to view the full table.
Bowling Figures for Quetta Gladiators
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammad Amir | 4 | 48 | 1 | 12.00 |
| Faheem Ashraf | 3.5 | 40 | 1 | 10.43 |
| Abrar Ahmed | 4 | 27 | 1 | 6.75 |
| Khurram Shahzad | 4 | 45 | 0 | 11.25 |
| Usman Tariq | 4 | 41 | 1 | 10.25 |
Key Moments: Drama Unfolds in Final Overs
The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, with several pivotal moments:
- Powerplay Blitz: Lahore raced to 56/0 in six overs, thanks to Mohammad Naeem’s four sixes.
- Quetta’s Early Collapse: Losing two wickets for 21 runs put Quetta on the back foot.
- Hasan Nawaz’s Fightback: His 76 off 43 balls revived Quetta’s innings.
- Perera-Raza Partnership: An unbeaten 59-run stand off 19 balls turned a near-impossible chase into a historic victory.
- Final Over Drama: Needing 13 runs, Raza’s six and four off Faheem Ashraf sparked wild celebrations.
Standout Performances: Perera and Raza Shine
The match showcased exceptional individual efforts:
- Kusal Perera (Player of the Match): His unbeaten 62 off 31 balls, with five fours and four sixes, anchored the chase. Perera’s performance was crucial in maintaining momentum.
- Sikandar Raza: Scoring 22* off 7 balls, including a match-winning six in the final over, Raza’s performance was a game-changer.
- Shaheen Afridi: With 3/24 and leadership as the first captain to win three PSL titles, Afridi was instrumental.
Post-Match Analysis: Strategic Brilliance
Lahore’s death bowling by Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, conceding only eight runs in a combined over, was crucial in restricting Quetta. Conversely, Mohammad Amir’s costly 19th over, where he conceded 18 runs, proved a turning point for Quetta’s loss.
