ISLAMABAD (PEN) : Lahore Qalandars secured their third Pakistan Super League (PSL) championship after a tense six-wicket win against Quetta Gladiators in a high-stakes final at the Gaddafi Stadium.
Chasing a target of 202 runs set by Quetta, Lahore reached the target in the final over, finishing at 204 for 4 wickets down. Sri Lankan Kusal Perera remained unbeaten on 62 runs, while Zimbabwean all-rounder Sikandar Raza contributed a vital 22 not out.
Lahore’s innings began cautiously, with Fakhar Zaman and Muhammad Naeem putting on a steady start. Fakhar was dismissed LBW for 11 at 39 runs, after which Muhammad Naeem continued to anchor the innings, scoring 46 runs. Abdullah Shafique added 41, and Bhanuka Rajapaksa chipped in with 14 before departing.
Quetta Gladiators, having won the toss and elected to bat first, posted a competitive total of 201 runs for 9 wickets in their 20 overs. Opener Hasan Nawaz was the standout performer for Quetta, scoring a well-crafted 76 runs. Contributions also came from Avishka Fernando (29), Dinesh Chandimal (22), and Faheem Ashraf’s late surge of 28 runs, which included 23 runs in the final over bowled by Salman Mirza.
From the bowling side, Shaheen Afridi was the most effective for Lahore, taking 3 wickets for 24 runs. Salman Mirza and Haris Rauf each claimed two wickets, while Sikandar Raza and Rashid Hussain took one wicket apiece. Quetta’s bowling attack saw wickets from Mohammad Amir, Faheem Ashraf, Usman Tariq, and Abrar Ahmed.
The final also featured a special tribute to the Pakistan Navy, with Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, and Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb attending the event. Former PCB chairman Najam Sethi was also present.
Entertainment was provided by renowned singers Nadeem Abbas and Abrarul Haq, and the stadium echoed with patriotic chants of “Pakistan Army Zindabad.” The ceremony ended with a spectacular fireworks display illuminating the Lahore night sky.
President Asif Ali Zardari was among the notable dignitaries present to witness the final and celebrate Lahore Qalandars’ remarkable achievement.
