Lahore, May 26, 2025: In a stunning display of commitment and class, Zimbabwean all-rounder Sikandar Raza hit the winning runs for Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) final on Sunday — just minutes after flying in from England.
Raza, 39, landed in Lahore barely 10 minutes before the toss after an exhausting journey from Nottingham, where he had featured in Zimbabwe’s innings defeat to England in the first Test. Despite the tight schedule, Raza calmly guided his team to a six-wicket victory over Quetta Gladiators with one ball to spare, scoring an unbeaten 22 off just 10 balls, including two sixes and two fours.
Carried off the field by jubilant teammates, Raza shared his whirlwind travel experience with a smile:
“Had dinner in Birmingham, breakfast in Dubai, drove to Abu Dhabi for lunch, took a flight and had dinner in Pakistan. I guess this is the life of a professional cricketer, and I’m truly humbled and blessed to have that life.”
Chasing a formidable 202 for victory, Lahore needed 13 off the final over. Raza stepped up with a six and a four to close out what became the highest successful chase in PSL final history. The win secured Lahore’s third PSL title, adding to their back-to-back triumphs in 2022 and 2023.
Earlier in the innings, Sri Lankan star Kusal Perera laid the foundation with a blistering unbeaten 62 off just 31 balls, peppered with five boundaries and four towering sixes. His unbroken 59-run fifth-wicket partnership with Raza turned the tide decisively in Lahore’s favour.
Opener Mohammad Naeem powered the early chase with a fiery 46, smashing six sixes and a boundary, while Abdullah Shafique added 41 in a solid supporting role.
Quetta Gladiators had posted a competitive 201-9 after electing to bat first. Hasan Nawaz played a pivotal role, hammering a brilliant 76 and anchoring key partnerships — 67 runs with Avishka Fernando (29) and 46 with Dinesh Chandimal (22).
Faheem Ashraf provided a late flourish, plundering 23 runs in the final over to push Quetta past 200. However, it wasn’t enough to contain Lahore’s dynamic batting.
Lahore skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi led from the front with the ball, claiming 3 for 24 and applying crucial pressure during the middle overs.
The dramatic win not only crowned Lahore Qalandars as 2025 PSL champions but also showcased Sikandar Raza’s extraordinary dedication — making it a night to remember for cricket fans across the globe.
