- May 26, 2025
If you’re a cricket fan and didn’t watch the final of PSL 2025, you missed one to write home about. It had all the makings of a classic – big hitting, high drama, and one of the most remarkable finishes in the 8 years the PSL has been around. Lahore Qalandars – who were back-to-back champions in 2022 and 2023 – were at it again, clinching the trophy with a 6-wicket victory over the Quetta Gladiators in an enthralling final at the Gaddafi Stadium. Oh, and it gets better: Sikandar Raza hit the winning six just MINUTES after arriving at the ground. Seriously.
The Captain Who Leads with Fire
Now, let’s talk about Shaheen Shah Afridi – he doesn’t just bowl; he commands. His figures of 3-24 in the final once again demonstrated that he is a captain we would go to war with. Shaheen opened with a fiery spell, giving Quetta’s top order no space to breathe, and they were under constant pressure.
Shaheen’s captaincy was much more than having the wickets, though. The way he rotated his bowlers, the calmness he displayed under pressure, and the backing he gave to his players (even when Sikandar Raza came flying in hot from Zimbabwe) can only be described as masterful. The energy that Shaheen brought onto the field was reflected in the way his team played.
Quetta’s Flash, Then Crash
To give credit where it’s due, Quetta Gladiators were imposing in the first innings. Hasan Nawaz was relentless with his batting intent, viciously hitting 76 runs off 43 balls. When Nawaz was batting like that, it seemed Quetta could have taken the match away from the opposition. Faheem Ashraf added to the fireworks, coming in late with 28 runs off 8 balls, adding some nice impetus to the total score.
They had a good start but were unable to capitalize. After the fall of Nawaz, there was a lull in the scoring, which decreased the scoring rate. And the runs will count when you are playing a team like Lahore. They needed 180+ to make Lahore sweat, and fell just short.
It was not just about runs, though. Their bowling lacked direction. They gave inconsistent lines and generally couldn’t keep Lahore’s batters under enough pressure for long enough. Raza arrived with the game going its full course but finished with a flourish (with a six to boot). It was almost as if the game had been predetermined.
Raza’s Late Arrival and Heroic Finish – A PSL Moment to Remember
Now we rely on the wildest part of the night, the arrival of Sikandar Raza! Let me set the scene. You’ve just played a Test match for Zimbabwe, jumped on a plane to another continent, and you arrive at the stadium with ten minutes to go until the toss.
Talk about movie moment timing.
Sikandar’s appearance without any forewarning after jumping on to this opportunity after a crazy travel schedule is the ultimate surprise appearance; it wasn’t even just the sixes, it was the way he jumped off the plane in the manner of royalty. No warm-up. No practice. Just lots of confidence and experience. This final game will be spoken about for decades.
And that’s it, Lahore Qalandars are PSL 2025 champions with style, swagger, and a lot of drama. We had Shaheen’s fiery spell, Raza’s Hollywood finish, and everything in between. Quetta also played good cricket, but in the end, the momentum and character of Lahore proved too much.
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