Lahore Qalandars Clinch PSL 2025 Title with Sikandar Raza’s Heroics

Lahore Qalandars won the PSL 2025 title, led by Sikandar Raza who played after a Test match. They chased down 202 runs against Quetta Gladiators, marking their third title in four years. Raza’s crucial contributions helped seal the match with one ball remaining, and the game concluded with Lahore finishing at 204-4. Quetta, despite topping the regular season, faced a stunning defeat from Lahore’s solid performance.

In a thrilling conclusion to the Pakistan Super League, the Lahore Qalandars clinched their third title in four years, thanks largely to the heroics of Sikandar Raza. Just a day after playing for Zimbabwe in a Test match against England, Raza made the swift transition to lead his team to victory over the Quetta Gladiators. He hit a six and a four off consecutive balls, sealing the win with one ball to spare.

Raza’s remarkable journey included dinner in Birmingham, breakfast in Dubai, and a quick flight to Pakistan, arriving ten minutes prior to the toss at the Gaddafi Stadium. Needing 202 runs, Raza entered the game with just 20 balls left and formed an impressive unbroken partnership of 59 runs with Kusal Perera, helping to chase down the highest total ever scored in a PSL final.

The Quetta Gladiators, having won the toss and opted to bat first, set a target of 201 run, led by Hasan Nawaz’s standout performance of 76 runs from 43 balls. Despite their strong regular season, Quetta faltered under pressure due to a stellar bowling performance from Lahore’s Shaheen Shah Afridi, who took three key wickets for just 24 runs.

After an earlier batting performance that saw both of Quetta’s openers dismissed cheaply, Hasan steadied the innings with two partnerships, but they succumbed to a spectacular bowling display from Lahore. The Gladiators saw their last four wickets fall for a mere two runs, leaving Faheem Ashraf to salvage the innings with quick runs towards the end.

Lahore’s chase was fraught with challenges as they lost opener Fakhar Zaman early. However, a solid partnership between Mohammad Naeem and Abdullah Shafique kept the required rate manageable until Raza stepped up. With Lahore needing 57 runs from just 20 balls, momentum shifted when Raza smacked Mohammad Amir for four and six, bringing the team back into contention.

The dramatic conclusion to the match saw Lahore finishing at 204-4 after just 19.5 overs, allowing them to secure their victory by six wickets. Raza’s effort not only won the match but also set the tone for a heated rivalry in the league.

Additionally, as the league wrapped up, the top performers were highlighted, with Sahibzada Farhan of Islamabad United leading in runs with 449. Lahore’s own Fakhar Zaman and Raza’s teammate Abdullah Shafique also featured among the top run-scorers, while Shaheen Shah Afridi excelled in the bowling department, securing 19 wickets, the highest in the tournament.

In summary, Sikandar Raza’s incredible performance led the Lahore Qalandars to a thrilling victory in the PSL 2025 final against Quetta Gladiators, showcasing the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket. The match highlighted standout contributions from both teams, with Quetta initially setting a challenging target, but ultimately faltering under pressure. This victory marks yet another title for Lahore, cementing their status in the league, while spotlighting individual accomplishments among the tournament’s best players.

Original Source: www.bbc.com