Lahore Qalandars Pull Off Historic PSL Final Comeback
Lahore Qalandars fans will remember the PSL 2025 final for years. With a packed Gaddafi Stadium roaring on every run, the Qalandars chased down a steep 202-run target against Quetta Gladiators to claim their third Pakistan Super League trophy — making them the only team with the hat-trick under the captaincy of Shaheen Afridi. The drama reached fever pitch in the final over as Sikandar Raza and Kusal Perera’s partnership saw Lahore home by six wickets with just one ball left.
Quetta Gladiators, choosing to bat, seemed to have things going their way early. But they hit roadblocks right out of the gate. Shaheen Afridi, ever the big-game player, sent Quetta’s skipper Saud Shakeel packing in the very first over with a clinical delivery. It got worse for Quetta when Finn Allen was undone by Salman Mirza before he could get dangerous. The Gladiators found themselves three down before they’d even hit fifty, making the stadium groan and Quetta fans shift nervously in their seats.
Despite the tense start, Avishka Fernando and Hassan Nawaz bailed Quetta out. Knocking off boundaries in the middle overs, Fernando’s clean hitting brought needed momentum while Nawaz played the anchor. Nawaz, fresh from smashing 28 sixes this season and amassing a tournament-best 399 runs, showed why he was named Player of the Series. He held the innings together when wickets kept tumbling, pushing Quetta to a competitive 201 for seven, a total that looked huge under finals pressure.
Perera and Raza Guide Record PSL Chase
Lahore’s reply didn’t exactly start smoothly — Quetta’s bowlers found early rhythm, causing nerves all around. But Kusal Perera, a proven T20 globetrotter and now a PSL hero, showed his intent with crisp boundaries and quick running between the wickets. His partnership with Bhanuka Rajapaksa, and later with Fakhar Zaman, solidified the chase right when it seemed to be slipping away.
Fakhar’s cameo brought the crowd to its feet before he was caught on the ropes. That left Lahore needing a run-a-ball rate, but everyone knew PSL finals pack late drama. Enter Sikandar Raza, who kept his cool as wickets fell around him. Raza rotated the strike and found the gaps, never letting the scoreboard pressure take over. With just an over left and more than a dozen still needed, he and Perera turned the chase into a heart-pounding finish, with Lahore finally crossing the line in the dying moments: 204 for four, with one ball to spare.
- Kusal Perera top-scored, setting the tone with his aggressive batting.
- Sikandar Raza anchored the finish with calm nerves and smart shot selection.
- Shaheen Afridi’s early breakthroughs with the ball and his cool leadership were crucial.
- The crowd’s energy pushed Lahore in crunch moments, making for a finals atmosphere that felt almost electric.
Shaheen Afridi has now become the first PSL captain to win three titles, etching his name into league history. This win wasn’t just about big names; it was about stepping up under pressure, smart partnerships, and staying cool till the very end. For cricket fans around the world, this PSL final delivered exactly what we all crave — world-class drama, tight finishes, and heroes rising on the biggest stage.
The Lahore Qalandars are three-time champions. That says everything you need to know about a night that had every cricket fan glued to the action until the very last ball.