The Pakistan Super League’s tenth season (PSL 10, 2025) was a landmark chapter in the league’s history, and for Lahore Qalandars, it was a saga of redemption, resilience, and unparalleled triumph. Led by the dynamic Shaheen Shah Afridi, the Qalandars rose from the ashes of a disappointing PSL 9, where they finished last, to clinch their third PSL title in a thrilling 6-wicket victory over Quetta Gladiators in the final on May 25, 2025, at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. Played across Karachi, Lahore, Multan, and Rawalpindi, PSL 10 was a season of challenges, marked by a delay due to the 2025 India-Pakistan conflict, logistical shifts, and record-breaking viewership. For Lahore, it was a journey from rock bottom to royalty, showcasing their depth, adaptability, and passion in a tournament that captivated millions.

Season Context: A Milestone Amid Turbulence

PSL 10 was a historic season, celebrating a decade of Pakistan’s premier T20 league. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) signed a ten-year agreement to maintain a six-team structure, with HBL as the title sponsor, ensuring financial stability and global appeal. The season, originally scheduled from February to March, was postponed to April 11–May 25, 2025, due to the India-Pakistan conflict, which briefly disrupted preparations. Foreign players were temporarily off-boarded to Dubai, but a ceasefire on May 10 allowed the tournament to resume with full participation.

The PCB’s innovative touches, including a nationwide trophy tour, simultaneous English-Urdu commentary, and themed awareness days for breast cancer (May 3, pink ribbons) and childhood cancer (May 19, golden ribbons), elevated the fan experience. Tributes to the Pakistan Armed Forces on May 17–18, featuring performances by Sahir Ali Bagga and Aima Baig, added a patriotic fervor.

The season saw logistical challenges, with Multan’s matches shifted to Lahore and Rawalpindi due to weather issues. The absence of Hawk-Eye’s DRS technology post-resumption added controversy, forcing umpires to rely on traditional methods. Despite these hurdles, PSL 10 broke viewership records, with packed stadiums and global broadcasts outshining the concurrent 2025 IPL. The ‘Luminara Trophy,’ unveiled on March 13, 2025, with 22,850 zircon stones, symbolized the season’s grandeur, and the PCB’s decision to host the playoffs and final in Lahore amplified the electric atmosphere at Gaddafi Stadium.

Lahore Qalandars’ Squad and Strategy

After their PSL 9 debacle, Lahore Qalandars, under coach Aqib Javed and captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, retooled their squad to blend experience with youth. Key retentions included Fakhar Zaman, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Zaman Khan, forming a formidable core. New additions like Zimbabwean all-rounder Sikandar Raza, New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell, and South African veteran David Wiese added depth. Abdullah Shafique and Mirza Tahir Baig bolstered the batting, while spinners like Rashid Khan and Mohammad Imran provided variety. The strategy was clear: aggressive batting led by Fakhar, a lethal pace attack spearheaded by Shaheen and Haris, and improved fielding to address past weaknesses.

League Stage: A Rollercoaster of Resilience

Lahore Qalandars played 10 matches in the double round-robin league stage, facing each of the five other teams (Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, Multan Sultans, Peshawar Zalmi, Quetta Gladiators) twice. They finished in the top four with 6 wins, 3 losses, and 1 no-result, securing a playoff spot despite early inconsistencies.

The campaign began with a setback against Islamabad United on April 11, 2025, in Lahore. Lahore posted a competitive 195/5, with Fakhar Zaman’s explosive 76 off 42 balls and Abdullah Shafique’s steady 44 setting a strong foundation. However, Islamabad’s batting, led by a century from their opener, chased the total in 18.3 overs for an 8-wicket win. Lahore’s bowlers, including Shaheen (1/38) and Haris Rauf (2/45), struggled with their lines, and a dropped catch of the centurion proved costly.

Another loss came against Multan Sultans on April 22 in Multan. Multan’s 228/5, powered by a blistering hundred, overwhelmed Lahore’s bowling. Shaheen took 2 wickets, but Zaman Khan’s death overs were expensive. In reply, Lahore’s 195/9, led by Daryl Mitchell’s 65 and Sikandar Raza’s quickfire 38, fell 33 runs short, exposing middle-order frailties under pressure.

Lahore bounced back with a commanding 88-run victory over Islamabad United on April 30 in Lahore. Batting first, they posted 209/6, with Fakhar Zaman’s 82 and Mirza Tahir Baig’s 46 setting the tone. Shaheen’s fiery 3/24 and Rashid Khan’s 2/19 skittled Islamabad for 121 in 16.2 overs, showcasing Lahore’s bowling depth. Another highlight was a 7-wicket win over Quetta Gladiators on April 13 in Karachi, where Lahore chased 165 in 17.4 overs, driven by Fakhar’s 60 and Shafique’s 40*. Haris Rauf’s 3/28 and Zaman Khan’s tight death bowling ensured Quetta’s total was manageable.

A crucial victory came against Peshawar Zalmi on May 5 in Rawalpindi. Zalmi posted 188/7, but Lahore’s chase was clinical, led by Sikandar Raza’s unbeaten 72 and David Wiese’s 34*. They finished with 5 wickets and 3 balls to spare, highlighting their ability to handle pressure chases. A no-result against Quetta on May 1 in Lahore, abandoned due to rain after Lahore reached 45/1 in 5 overs, cost them a chance to solidify their position but didn’t derail their campaign.

Other notable wins included a 45-run thrashing of Karachi Kings, where Shaheen’s 4/22 and Fakhar’s 77 starred, and a tense 4-wicket win over Multan Sultans, with Shafique’s composed 55 guiding a tricky chase of 172. Losses to Peshawar Zalmi (by 12 runs, failing to chase 201) and Karachi Kings (by 6 wickets, unable to defend 180) exposed occasional lapses in death bowling and middle-order stability. Nonetheless, Lahore’s 12 points secured a top-four finish, with their net run rate boosted by big wins.

Playoffs: A Path to Glory

The playoffs, shifted to Lahore due to logistical constraints, saw Lahore Qalandars elevate their game. In Eliminator 1 against Karachi Kings on May 21, 2025, Lahore posted 184/6, with Fakhar Zaman’s 68 and Daryl Mitchell’s 42 forming a solid platform. Karachi’s chase faltered against Haris Rauf’s fiery 4/25 and Rashid Khan’s 2/18, bowling them out for 142 in 18.3 overs. Lahore’s fielding, often a weakness in past seasons, was sharp, with Shafique and Baig taking crucial catches.

In Qualifier 2 against Islamabad United on May 23, Lahore faced the defending champions in a high-stakes clash. Batting first, they posted 196/5, driven by Sikandar Raza’s explosive 78 off 46 balls and Abdullah Shafique’s 50. Islamabad’s chase was derailed by Shaheen’s 3/30 and Zaman Khan’s death-over heroics (2/22), restricting them to 165/8. Lahore’s disciplined bowling and improved fielding, including a spectacular diving catch by Wiese, sealed a 31-run victory, earning them a spot in the final.

The final against Quetta Gladiators on May 25, 2025, at Gaddafi Stadium was a spectacle. Quetta, riding a seven-match winning streak, posted a formidable 201/9, with their top order firing. Shaheen’s 2/35 and Raza’s 3/28 kept Lahore in the game, though early breakthroughs were hard to come by. Lahore’s chase was a masterclass in composure and aggression. Fakhar Zaman’s blazing 66 off 38 balls set the tone, followed by a crucial 85-run partnership between Abdullah Shafique (54*) and Sikandar Raza (44). Daryl Mitchell’s 28* off 14 balls sealed the chase, with Lahore reaching 204/4 in 19.5 overs for a 6-wicket win. Shafique’s calm knock under pressure earned him the Player of the Match, while Shaheen’s leadership and Raza’s all-round impact were lauded.

Key Performances and Players

Fakhar Zaman was Lahore’s batting cornerstone, amassing over 400 runs in the season, with multiple fifties, including a match-defining 66 in the final. Abdullah Shafique emerged as a clutch performer, his 54* in the final and consistent contributions anchoring chases. Sikandar Raza was the season’s MVP for Lahore, scoring 300+ runs and taking 12 wickets with his off-spin, his 78 and 3/28 in the playoffs proving decisive. Shaheen Shah Afridi led with 18 wickets, his pace and yorkers dismantling top orders, while Haris Rauf’s 16 wickets, including 4/25 in the Eliminator, underlined his growth. Zaman Khan’s death-over mastery (14 wickets) and Rashid Khan’s spin (10 wickets) added variety. Daryl Mitchell and David Wiese provided overseas stability, with Mitchell’s 65 against Multan and Wiese’s all-round cameos proving vital.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Lahore’s bowling was their biggest strength, with Shaheen, Haris, and Zaman forming a lethal pace trio, backed by Raza and Rashid’s spin. Their batting, led by Fakhar and Shafique, was aggressive yet adaptable, capable of chasing big totals or setting imposing ones. Improved fielding, with key catches in the playoffs, marked a departure from past seasons. However, early middle-order inconsistencies, particularly in high-pressure chases, and occasional death-bowling lapses, as seen against Multan, were weaknesses. The absence of DRS in later matches forced reliance on on-field decisions, which occasionally hurt their strategy.

Season Context and Impact

PSL 10 was a cultural and sporting milestone, with 34 matches drawing record crowds and global viewership. The PCB’s initiatives, like the trophy tour and themed awareness days, deepened fan engagement. The season’s overlap with the IPL sparked comparisons, but PSL’s drama—upsets, close finishes, and Lahore’s redemption—captured global attention. The PCB’s decision to host playoffs in Lahore, despite logistical challenges, paid off, with Gaddafi Stadium’s electric atmosphere amplifying the final’s intensity.

Lahore’s triumph resonated beyond cricket, symbolizing resilience amid national challenges. Their third title tied them with Islamabad United as the PSL’s most successful team, cementing Shaheen’s legacy as a captain. The season’s success prompted the PCB to plan an eight-team expansion for 2026, with potential new franchises in Faisalabad or Sialkot.

Legacy and Looking Ahead

PSL 10 was a defining moment for Lahore Qalandars. Their journey from PSL 9’s disappointment to a third title showcased their depth, leadership, and fan support. Fakhar, Shafique, Raza, and Shaheen became household names, while the team’s improved fielding and strategic nous set a new standard. For fans, the victory at Gaddafi Stadium was a celebration of loyalty, with the ‘Luminara Trophy’ lifted amid roaring crowds. As the PSL looks to expand, Lahore’s triumph in PSL 10 will be remembered as a testament to their grit, setting the stage for future dominance in Pakistan’s premier T20 league.