Lahore Qalandars won PSL 2025 with a finish that cricket dreams are made of. Sikandar Raza walking in late, hitting the final winning shots under pressure, and sealing the title with calm authority — it was the perfect ending to a high-stakes night. That moment earned the roar. It deserved the celebration.
But just before that final flourish, there was a quieter story. A story that didn’t chase the limelight but carried the weight. Kusal Perera — holding the middle order together, building the bridge between Lahore’s struggle and their eventual triumph.
Qualifier 2 vs Islamabad United — The First Spark
May 23. Gaddafi Stadium.
Lahore Qalandars were up against Islamabad United, the defending champions. An early stutter with the bat meant pressure was mounting. Perera walked in at number four — no big drama, no theatrics. Just business.
He crafted 61 off 35 — fast, fierce, and flawless.
Cover drives that cut through tension. Two towering sixes off Naseem Shah in the death overs. He teamed up with Mohammad Naeem and later Bhanuka Rajapaksa to lift Lahore to 202 — a total that looked unlikely halfway through the innings.
Shaheen Shah Afridi’s fiery burst (3 for 3) and Salman Mirza’s cleanup (3 for 16) blew Islamabad away for 107. But the total that gave Lahore breathing room? That came off Perera’s bat.
The Final vs Quetta — Calm in Chaos
May 25. Same ground. The PSL final. The biggest chase in final history: 202.
Lahore started strong but stumbled in the middle. At 145 for 4 in the 17th over, things looked dicey.
And again, there was Kusal Perera. Still at four. Still calm.
He played the defining innings of the night. An unbeaten 62 off 31. Not just runs — pressure-breaking, scoreboard-moving, match-tilting runs.
Three sixes. Two crisp boundaries. In a 12-ball burst, he reduced a mountain into a manageable climb. From needing 57 off 20, Lahore were suddenly within touching distance.
And then came Sikandar Raza — walking in at the death, absorbing the moment, and finishing with class. A four. A six. Job done.
Raza’s finishing touch was full of grace — a moment of clarity under chaos. But that stage? That opportunity? That existed because Perera had built it.
Perera wasn’t the headline — he was the heartbeat.
Kusal Perera was the heartbeat behind Lahore Qalandars’ PSL 2025 triumph. In two high-pressure playoff matches, he scored a combined 123 runs at a strike rate close to 200 — delivering not with noise, but with purpose.
He held the innings when it threatened to fall apart.
He adapted with calm.
He shifted gears with intent.
And he delivered exactly what each moment demanded.
Perera didn’t just score runs — he shaped the innings.
He didn’t just survive at the crease — he stitched together the chaos into something meaningful.
When pressure peaked, he brought clarity.
When doubts crept in, he offered direction.
Quiet, composed, and clinical — Perera never chased the spotlight.
He earned something far greater: the respect of those who truly understand the game.
With the gloves in one hand and match temperament in the other, he stood tall under pressure.
He proved to be the perfect pick for Lahore Qalandars — and full credit goes to the Qalandars’ management for recognizing his value when it mattered most.
A Quiet Redemption
This wasn’t just a contribution. It was a comeback.
A former Sri Lankan captain. A 2014 T20 World Cup winner. A man written off from franchise T20 leagues. But in PSL 2025, under pressure and under lights, Perera reminded everyone who he was — a fighter, a finisher, a backbone.
Sikandar Raza finished it with style. Lahore lifted the trophy. The crowd erupted.
But in the echoes of that celebration, if you listen closely, you’ll hear the rhythm of something steady, something strong — the innings that made it all possible.
Kusal Perera didn’t steal the spotlight.
He held it steady long enough… for Lahore to shine.
Also Read: Lahore Qalandars’ Journey in PSL 2025: A Tale of Resilience, Triumph, and Legacy