Sikandar Lands, Smashes, & Conquers as Qalandars Win Third PSL Title
News Desk
Lahore: Sikandar Ra za’s extraordinary last-minute arrival turned into a fairy-tale finish for Lahore Qalandars as they secured their third consecutive Pakistan Super League (PSL) title with a nail-biting six-wicket win over Quetta Gladiators at the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.
The 39-year-old Zimbabwean all-rounder, who landed in Pakistan just 10 minutes before the toss after an overnight journey from England, made an immediate and match-winning impact. Raza, fresh off Zimbabwe’s innings defeat to England in Nottingham, remained unbeaten on 22 off just seven balls, hammering two sixes and two boundaries to seal Lahore’s record-breaking chase with one ball to spare.
“I had dinner in Birmingham, breakfast in Dubai, lunch in Abu Dhabi, and dinner in Pakistan,” Raza said, reflecting on his whirlwind travel. “This is the life of a professional cricketer, and I’m truly humbled and blessed.”
Chasing a daunting 202, Lahore Qalandars rode on a crucial unbroken 59-run partnership between Raza and Sri Lankan opener Kusal Perera, who played a blistering knock of 62 off 31 deliveries. Perera’s innings, featuring five boundaries and four towering sixes, kept Lahore in the hunt during the tense closing stages.
Earlier, Mohammad Naeem (46) and Abdullah Shafique (41) provided a solid foundation at the top, laying the groundwork for the highest successful run chase in a PSL final.
Quetta Gladiators, who opted to bat first after winning the toss, posted a formidable 201 for nine. Young left-hander Hasan Nawaz top-scored with a scintillating 76, supported by Avishka Fernando (29) and Dinesh Chandimal (22), who stitched partnerships of 67 and 46 runs respectively.
All-rounder Faheem Ashraf gave Quetta a late boost, smashing 28 runs — including 23 off the final over bowled by Salman Mirza — to push the total past 200.
Shaheen Shah Afridi led Lahore’s bowling attack with figures of 3 for 24, stifling Quetta’s momentum at key intervals.
With this victory, Lahore Qalandars have now won three back-to-back PSL titles (2022, 2023, and 2025), cementing their status as the most dominant side in recent league history.
The final was a celebration of grit, drama, and cricketing brilliance — and Sikandar Raza’s heroic cameo will go down as one of the most memorable moments in PSL history.
