In a match that had it all—drama, fireworks, heartbreak, and heroics—it was Kusal Perera and Sikandar Raza who stood tall under the floodlights of Lahore, guiding the Lahore Qalandars to a sensational victory in the PSL 2025 final. Chasing an imposing 202, Qalandars pulled off the highest-ever successful chase in any T20 final, sealing a six-wicket win over the Quetta Gladiators with just one ball to spare.
And fittingly, it was Raza, the man who had landed in Pakistan barely ten minutes before the toss, who smashed the winning runs—a towering six followed by a crisp four, sparking wild celebrations among his teammates.
From Nottingham to Glory in Lahore
Just a day earlier, Sikandar Raza was battling it out in Nottingham, scoring a gritty half-century in Zimbabwe’s historic Test against England. Within 48 hours, he had bowled 25 overs, batted for another 20, had dinner in Birmingham, breakfast in Dubai, lunch in Abu Dhabi, and then hopped on a flight to Pakistan. Jet-lagged but driven, Raza rose to the moment like few can.
Despite a quiet day with the ball, he delivered when it mattered most—smacking Mohammad Amir for a four and a six off the very first two balls he faced. And when the pressure was at its peak—eight needed off three—he calmly sealed the deal.
Perera’s Calm Amid Chaos
While Raza applied the finishing touches, it was Kusal Perera who anchored the chase with a magnificent 62 off 31 balls*, a knock that defied the odds and tilted the momentum Lahore’s way. He came in when things looked shaky, yet he kept the scoreboard ticking, absorbing pressure and timing his attack to perfection—especially in the death overs against Amir and Khurram Shahzad.
Gladiators Fire Early but Fade Late
Earlier, Quetta Gladiators looked set to post a mammoth total, thanks to Hasan Nawaz’s aggressive 76 off 43 and a late flurry from Faheem Ashraf, who blasted 28 off just 8 balls, including 4 boundaries in a row. The innings, however, took a surprising turn in the 18th and 19th overs, as Qalandars pulled things back, conceding just eight runs and picking up four wickets.
It took Faheem’s fireworks in the final over to push Quetta past 200, but even that wasn’t enough.
Naeem’s Explosive Start, Amir’s Fightback
Qalandars’ reply got off to a blistering start, largely thanks to Mohammad Naeem, whose six-hitting spree in the third over—a 23-run massacre off Faheem—gave Lahore an early boost. That over, in hindsight, proved crucial.
Meanwhile, Mohammad Amir was at his economical best, keeping things tight and even snatching a key wicket at the death. But the duo of Perera and Raza simply proved unstoppable in the end.
Qalandars’ Free-Spirited Formula Pays Off
Throughout the tournament, Lahore Qalandars played with a fearless, free-flowing spirit—and it all came together perfectly on the biggest night. Every time they looked down and out, someone stepped up. Whether it was Naeem’s rapid start, Perera’s calm dominance, or Raza’s cinematic finish, this win was a perfect cocktail of grit and joy.
In a game where nerves were the biggest enemy, the Qalandars held theirs until the very end.
Final Scorecard Summary
Quetta Gladiators – 201/9
- Hasan Nawaz 76 (43)
- Faheem Ashraf 28 (8)
- Shaheen Afridi 3/24
Lahore Qalandars – 204/4
- Kusal Perera 62* (31)
- Mohammad Naeem 46 (23)
- Sikandar Raza 22* (7)
Lahore Qalandars won by 6 wickets
A Night to Remember
It wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. Lahore Qalandars didn’t just chase down a total; they rewrote the script of what’s possible in T20 cricket. And in doing so, they gifted cricket fans a PSL final for the ages.
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