LAHORE - Lahore Qalandars recorded an impressive six-wicket victory over Quetta Gladiators in the PSL 10 final played at the jampacked Gaddafi Stadium Lahore on Sunday night.
Qalandars chased down a daunting target of 202 with just one ball to spare to clinch the PSL title for the third time, thanks to breathtaking knock by Kusal Perera, who remained unbeaten on 62 off 31 balls, and a fiery cameo from Mohammad Naeem, who smashed 46 off 27 deliveries. Qalandars’ victory was built on collective batting brilliance and marked one of the most thrilling chases of the tournament.
Batting first after winning the toss, Quetta Gladiators posted an imposing total of 201 for 9 in their allotted 20 overs. Despite a shaky start that saw captain Saud Shakeel depart early for just 4 runs, and Finn Allen falling soon after for 12, it was the explosive innings of Hasan Nawaz that turned the tide.
Hasan blazed his way to 76 off 43 balls, hammering 8 boundaries and 4 sixes in a superb display of power hitting. He was well-supported by Avishka Fernando (29 off 22) and Dinesh Chandimal (22 off 13), while Faheem Ashraf added a late flourish with a rapid 28 off just 8 deliveries, including two fours and three sixes.
Lahore’s bowling was spearheaded by their skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi, who was in sensational form, claiming 3 wickets for just 24 runs in his 4-over spell. Salman Mirza and Haris Rauf chipped in with two wickets each, though they were a bit expensive. Sikandar Raza and Rishad Hossain also picked up a wicket apiece, as Lahore managed to restrict Quetta just enough to keep the chase within reach.
In reply, Lahore Qalandars got off to a brisk start with Fakhar Zaman scoring 11 before falling LBW to Abrar Ahmed. However, it was Mohammad Naeem, the young sensation, who stole the show early in the innings. With clean hitting and excellent timing, he smashed 46 runs off 27 balls, including six towering sixes, laying a solid platform for the chase. Abdullah Shafique then kept the momentum alive with a well-crafted 41 off 28, before falling to Usman Tariq.
The turning point of the match came with the arrival of Kusal Perera, whose masterful innings defined the chase. The Sri Lankan left-hander struck five fours and four sixes on his way to a match-winning unbeaten 62 off just 31 deliveries, playing with flair, composure, and authority. He was ably supported in the end by Sikandar Raza, who bludgeoned 22 off just 7 balls, including two fours and two sixes, to seal the victory with one delivery remaining.
Quetta’s bowlers failed to defend a big total despite Abrar Ahmed’s economical spell of 1 for 27. Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Amir, and Usman Tariq picked up a wicket each, but the lack of penetration and control in the death overs cost them dearly.
The winning side claimed a lucrative prize of USD 500,000, with the runners-up receiving USD 200,000 for their commendable performance. The top performers including the best batter, bowler, all-rounder, wicketkeeper, player of the final and player of the event were also awarded with lucrative prizes.
Lahore Qalandars’ historic third PSL triumph was met with a wave of accolades, as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari, PCB Chairman Syed Mohsin Ali Naqvi, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Sports Minister Faisal Ayub Khokhar, Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat, and other dignitaries extended their heartfelt congratulations to the champions.
SCORES IN BRIEF
LAHORE QALANDARS 204/4 in 19.5 overs (Kusal Perera 62*, M Naeem 46, Abdullah Shafique 41; Abrar Ahmed 1-27, Faheem Ashraf 1-49) beat QUETTA GLADIATORS 201/9 in 20 overs (Hasan Nawaz 76, Avishka Fernando 29, Faheem Ashraf 28; Shaheen Afridi 3-24, Haris Rauf 2-41, Salman Mirza 2-51) by 6 wickets.
