Sikandar Raza led Lahore Qalandars to a PSL title victory over Quetta Gladiators despite a whirlwind travel schedule from a game in England. With a stunning partnership and crucial runs in the final overs, Lahore chased down Quetta’s 201, showcasing their resilience and talent once again in the league.
Sikandar Raza’s incredible last-minute entry proved vital as Lahore Qalandars clinched the Pakistan Super League title, defeating Quetta Gladiators by six wickets. Remarkably, just a day after playing for Zimbabwe against England, Raza not only flew to Lahore but played a pivotal role in the final, hitting a six and four to seal the win with one ball remaining. The Qalandars chased down Quetta’s total of 201 with 204 runs in 19.5 overs.
Raza’s whirlwind journey was truly something else. “I had dinner in Birmingham, breakfast in Dubai, and drove to Abu Dhabi for lunch. Took a flight and had a dinner in Pakistan. This is the life of a professional cricketer. I’m truly humbled and blessed to have the life,” he reflected. He arrived just ten minutes before the toss at Gaddafi Stadium.
In the finals, Quetta Gladiators led by Hasan Nawaz, who scored a brisk 76 runs off 43 balls, put up a competitive total of 201-9 after winning the toss. Shaheen Shah Afridi was impressive with the ball for Lahore, taking 3 wickets for 24 runs. Lahore Qalandars, despite finishing fourth in the regular season, soared through the play-offs to claim their third PSL title in four years.
After an innings where he had knocked 60 runs in Nottingham just a day earlier, Raza stepped into the crease with only 20 deliveries left in the final, helping establish a crucial partnership with Kusal Perera. Together, they added 59 runs, marking the highest successful chase in a PSL final. Perera contributed a solid 62 not out off 31 deliveries, lifting the team to victory alongside Raza’s impactful 22 off 7.
While Quetta was on a high with an eight-match winning streak, their final outing was rocky, losing both openers early on. Hasan’s established presence helped stabilize the innings with significant partnerships before a dramatic collapse triggered by Afridi disrupted their rhythm. Despite Faheem Ashraf’s late flurry of runs, Quetta’s total fell short.
Lahore’s road to the title was precarious, with early wickets falling, including that of Fakhar Zaman. However, partnerships between Mohammed Naeem and Abdullah Shafique steadied the ship until Raza took charge. With Lahore needing a challenging 57 runs from just over three overs, Raza’s explosive batting brought the title home.
In terms of individual performances throughout the season, Sahibzada Farhan of Islamabad United topped the charts with 449 runs, closely followed by Lahore’s Fakhar Zaman with 439. On the bowling side, Lahore’s Shaheen Shah Afridi led with 19 wickets, a testament to the Qalandars’ strength in bowling strategies.
This victory not only highlights Raza’s heroics but underscores the Qalandars’ resilience and strategy, making their triumph noteworthy in PSL history.
Sikandar Raza’s late entry into the PSL final transformed the match, leading Lahore Qalandars to a dramatic victory over Quetta Gladiators. Following an impressive performance, they secured their third title in four years, marking a significant achievement for the team. Lahore’s strength in partnerships and effective bowling served them well, despite Quetta’s solid regular season. The individual performances, especially Raza’s, remain a highlight as the league wraps up another thrilling season.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
