On Saturday, Lahore Qalandars won their third Pakistan Super League (PSL) championship. They went on to beat the Quetta Gladiators by six wickets in a dramatic last match at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The victory marks a historic achievement for the Qalandars, as their captain Shaheen Shah Afridi became the only skipper to lead a team to three PSL championships.
Further adding to their struggle, Lahore Qalandars had a daunting 202-run target to chase. They conquered it, blasting their way to a tremendous 204 for 4 in only 19.5 overs. Sikandar Raza turned match hero with a last-ball six to clinch the victory in style. That last crushing blow delivered his side’s improbable win. He hammered 22 runs from only seven balls, an amazing display of clutch ability.
Lahore’s innings featured a significant contribution from Kusal Perera, who scored 62 runs, helping set the stage for the chase. Throughout the tense final moments of the match, it was the Qalandars who kept their composure and concentration. Raza followed with an explosive finish, powering them home with one ball to spare.
Raza pulled a fast one on everyone and joined the squad ten minutes before the first toss. His inclusion making the playing XI a huge surprise. His passion & love for the game always came through. To put that into context, on Friday he bowled 25 overs in a Test match and turned up the next day to bat for over 20 overs.
Afridi was the man of the hour after the game, holding up the PSL trophy to the delight of the fans and his fellow players.
“To have a victory like this, I just have no words.” – Sikandar Raza
On the field, Raza’s contributions were immediately apparent. He even bowled a wicket-taking delivery in Quetta’s innings, perfectly encapsulating his impact on the match. The Gladiators battled bravely, but ultimately they could not hold up against the onslaught provided by the Qalandars. Ultimately, they did not have enough to protect their target.
The dramatic finale perfectly illustrated the tenacious competitive nature of the two teams. It was a testament to the increasing popularity of cricket in Pakistan. Enthusiastic fans filled the Gaddafi Stadium to capacity, producing an electric atmosphere and cheerleading their respective teams to victory.
