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Lahore Claims Historic Third Title
What a night it was at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday night! The packed house witnessed something truly special as Lahore Qalandars under Shaheen Shah Afridi claimed their third HBL PSL title in four years. They managed to beat Quetta Gladiators by six wickets in what can only be described as a thrilling last-over finale. Having covered cricket for years, I can tell you that this was one of those matches that reminds you why you fell in love with the game in the first place.
The Qalandars notched their second-highest successful chase as they hunted down the massive 202-run target with just one ball to spare. This achievement saw them become only the second team, after Islamabad United, to bag three titles in the tournament’s 10-year history. What makes this even more remarkable is that this represents the highest target ever surmounted in a T20 final – a record that speaks volumes about the team’s determination.
Kusal Perera absolutely top-scored for his team with a blazing 62 not out that will be remembered for years to come. The Sri Lankan joined forces with Zimbabwean all-rounder Sikandar Raza to complete this come-from-behind triumph. The duo stitched together an unbeaten 19-ball 59-run fifth-wicket stand that turned the entire match on its head. When they got together, Qalandars required 57 off 20 balls – a mountain to climb by any standard.
Sikandar was making his mark right from the get-go as he struck a six and a four against Mohammad Amir off his first two balls to close off the 17th over of the innings. The subsequent over saw Perera launch two sixes against Khurram Shahzad, consigning him for 16 runs. With the required rate climbing above 15, the penultimate over witnessed Qalandars ransacking 18 runs as Perera smacked Amir for two fours and a six on the last ball to bring the equation down to 13 required off the final over.
Faheem Ashraf gave away only five runs on the first three balls before Raza bludgeoned a sensational six over deep cover-point, followed by a four – the winning shot that would seal the title for Qalandars. Perera, who had harvested 170 runs in four games this season, backed up his Eliminator half-century with this match-winning fifty that featured five fours and four sixes while facing 31 balls.
The foundation for this incredible chase was laid much earlier. After Qalandars were 85-2 in the ninth over, Perera managed to stitch a 30-run partnership each with Abdullah Shafique (41, 28b, 4x4s, 1×6) and Bhanuka Rajapaksa (14, 16b, 1×4, 1×6) to keep the innings intact. At the start of the chase, Mohammad Naeem provided his team with a crucial head-start with his 27-ball 46 that included a 39-run opening stand with Fakhar Zaman (11, 10b, 2x4s) and a steady 46-run second-wicket partnership with Abdullah.
Naeem truly set the tone for Lahore’s successful chase by striking four sixes in the space of five balls across the second and third overs, helping his team collect 56 runs off the Powerplay. Qalandars were 97-2 at the halfway stage before they belted the remaining 105 runs off the next 9.5 overs in a display of power hitting that left spectators in awe.
Earlier, Quetta Gladiators had posted their third-highest total of the HBL PSL X after stumbling to 21-2 with Shaheen and Mohammad Salman Mirza removing both openers cheaply. Gladiators’ top run-scorer in the innings and best batter of the tournament, Hasan Nawaz fought back with 76 off 43 balls, keeping the run flow going. Hasan and Rilee Rossouw wrestled back with a 37-run stand after two early blows, which also saw their team finish the Powerplay with 57-2. Sikandar then removed Rossouw, bringing Avishka Fernando (29, 22b, 5×4) to the crease as he partnered Hasan for the next 6.3 overs.
The duo struck nine fours and two sixes collectively in a 67-run stand for the fourth wicket to keep Lahore’s bowling attack on their toes. Dinesh Chandimal too helped Gladiators by assisting Hasan in a brisk 46-run stand, where the experienced Sri Lankan batter hit two sixes before departing in the 18th over for a 13-ball 22. Shaheen and Haris Rauf then stemmed Gladiators’ progress by delivering a two-wicket over each for eight runs collectively as the 2019 champions found themselves 178-8 in 19 overs. The last over of the innings saw Faheem hit Salman Mirza for three towering sixes and a four to collect 23 runs before falling for an eight-ball 28 on the last ball of the innings. For Lahore, skipper Shaheen, also the leading wicket-taker in the tournament with 19 scalps, returned impressive figures of 4-0-24-3, while Salman and Haris picked up two wickets each.
Complete Match Summary and Tournament Awards
Match 34 of the PSL season culminated in a spectacular Final where Lahore Qalandars managed to beat Quetta Gladiators by six wickets at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium. Having witnessed countless finals over the years, I can confidently say this was one of the most thrilling encounters. The Gladiators posted a challenging 201-9 in their allotted 20 overs, with Hasan Nawaz leading from the front with 76 runs. Supporting contributions came from Avishka Fernando with 29, Faheem Ashraf adding 28, while both Rilee Rossouw and Dinesh Chandimal chipped in with 22 each. For Lahore, Shaheen Shah Afridi was the pick of the bowlers with 3-24, supported by Haris Rauf, who claimed 2-41 and Mohammad Salman Mirza finishing with 2-51.
The Qalandars responded magnificently, reaching 204-4 in just 19.5 overs to secure their victory. Kusal Perera was absolutely brilliant, remaining 62 not out and earning the Player of the final award for his match-winning performance. Mohammad Naeem provided the perfect start with 46, while Abdullah Shafique contributed a vital 41. Sikandar Raza stayed 22 not out to see his team home alongside Perera. The Gladiators’ bowling was led by Abrar Ahmed, who managed 1-27 but couldn’t prevent the inevitable defeat.
Beyond the final, several players earned recognition for their outstanding tournament performances. Hasan Nawaz claimed the Best batter of the tournament award after accumulating 399 runs across 12 matches – a testament to his consistency throughout the competition. Abrar Ahmed was named Best bowler of the tournament for his impressive 17 wickets in 12 matches, showcasing his ability to strike at crucial moments. Mohammad Haris from Peshawar Zalmi earned the Best wicket-keeper of the tournament honours with 247 runs and 12 dismissals in 10 matches, proving his worth both with bat and gloves.
The individual awards continued with Abdul Samad from Peshawar Zalmi being recognized as the Best fielder of the tournament for taking nine catches in just five matches – an exceptional fielding average that shows the importance of sharp catching in T20 cricket. Mohammad Naeem was deservedly named Emerging player of the tournament after scoring 316 runs and taking seven catches in 12 matches, highlighting his all-round contributions. Faheem Ashraf secured the Best all-rounder of the tournament award with 163 runs and 17 wickets in 12 matches, while Peshawar Zalmi received the Winner of Spirit of Cricket Award for their exemplary conduct throughout the tournament.
FAQS
1. Who won the PSL Final 2025?
Lahore Qalandars won the PSL Final 2025 by defeating Quetta Gladiators by six wickets at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. This was their third PSL title in four years.
2. What was the final score of PSL 2025?
Quetta Gladiators scored 201-9 in 20 overs, while Lahore Qalandars successfully chased the target with 204-4 in 19.5 overs, winning by six wickets.
3. Who was the Player of the Final in PSL 2025?
Kusal Perera from Lahore Qalandars was awarded the Player of the Final for his match-winning knock of 62 not out off 31 balls, which included five fours and four sixes.
4. Where was the PSL Final 2025 played?
The PSL Final 2025 was played at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on Sunday night in front of a packed house.
5. Who was the top scorer for Quetta Gladiators in the final?
Hasan Nawaz was the top scorer for Quetta Gladiators with 76 runs off 43 balls. He was also named the Best Batter of the Tournament with 399 runs in 12 matches.
6. How many PSL titles have the Lahore Qalandars won now?
With this victory, Lahore Qalandars have now won three PSL titles in four years, making them only the second team after Islamabad United to achieve this feat in the tournament’s 10-year history.
7. What was special about this PSL Final chase?
This was the highest target ever chased in a T20 final. Qalandars’ successful chase of 202 runs was also their second-highest successful chase in PSL history, completed with just one ball to spare.
8. Who were the best performers in the tournament overall?
- Best Batter: Hasan Nawaz (399 runs in 12 matches)
- Best Bowler: Abrar Ahmed (17 wickets in 12 matches)
- Best Wicket-keeper: Mohammad Haris (247 runs & 12 dismissals)
- Best All-rounder: Faheem Ashraf (163 runs & 17 wickets)
- Emerging Player: Mohammad Naeem (316 runs & 7 catches)
9. Who was the leading wicket-taker for Lahore Qalandars in the final?
Shaheen Shah Afridi, the Qalandars captain, was the leading wicket-taker with impressive figures of 3-24 in 4 overs. He was also the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 19 scalps overall.
10. What made the PSL Final 2025 so thrilling?
The match was decided in the last over with Qalandars needing 13 runs off the final six balls. Sikandar Raza hit a sensational six over deep cover-point followed by the winning four to seal the title, making it one of the most exciting finishes in PSL history.
