With only a few matches left in PSL 2025, the playoff battle is intense. Here’s what Lahore Qalandars, Karachi Kings, Islamabad United, and Peshawar Zalmi need to reach the knockout stage.
The Race to the Playoffs is ON!
The 10th edition of the Pakistan Super League is heading toward a thrilling finish. With only four league matches remaining, one team—Quetta Gladiators—has officially secured a playoff spot. That leaves four contenders battling for just three remaining spots: Lahore Qalandars, Karachi Kings, Islamabad United, and Peshawar Zalmi.
Let’s break down the qualification scenarios—with a special focus on Lahore Qalandars.
| Team | M | W | L | NRR | Pts | Last 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QG | 9 | 6 | 2 | +1.530 | 13 | ✅ ✅ ➖ ✅ ✅ |
| KAR | 8 | 5 | 3 | +0.433 | 10 | ❌ ✅ ❌ ✅ ✅ |
| ISL | 9 | 5 | 4 | -0.044 | 10 | ✅ ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ |
| LAH | 9 | 4 | 4 | +0.958 | 9 | ❌ ✅ ✅ ➖ ❌ |
| PES | 8 | 4 | 4 | -0.082 | 8 | ❌ ✅ ❌ ✅ ✅ |
| MS | 9 | 1 | 8 | -2.708 | 2 | ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ |
Quetta Gladiators – First to Qualify!
Points: 13 (9 matches)
NRR: +1.530
Status: ✅ Qualified
The Gladiators are flying high! After a shaky start, they roared back with dominant performances—including a historic 263-run total vs Islamabad United (the highest in PSL history). They’re not just through—they’re favorites for the No. 1 position.
Lahore Qalandars – One Last Shot
Points: 9
NRR: +0.958
Remaining Match: vs Peshawar Zalmi (May 9)
It’s do or die for the Qalandars. The equation is simple:
➡ Win = Playoffs
➡ Lose = Elimination (most likely)
Lahore’s excellent Net Run Rate (NRR) gives them a strong advantage if it comes down to tiebreakers. A win over Zalmi should be enough to push them into the top four—unless they scrape through with a narrow win and other results don’t go their way.
💡 If Karachi beats Peshawar on May 8, and LQ beat Zalmi on May 9—Lahore is through.
🔵 Karachi Kings – Almost There
Points: 10
NRR: +0.433
Remaining Matches: vs PZ (May 8), vs ISL (May 10)
Karachi needs just one more win from their last two matches to seal qualification. If they win both, they could challenge for a top-two finish, giving them a second chance in the playoffs.
🔴 Islamabad United – Same Equation as Kings
Points: 10
NRR: -0.044
Remaining Match: vs Karachi Kings (May 10)
Islamabad have a single match left, but it’s a big one. If they beat Karachi, they qualify and could even edge into the top two if results favor them. But if they lose and Lahore or Peshawar win big, they could crash out on NRR.
🟡 Peshawar Zalmi – Two Finals Ahead
Points: 8
NRR: -0.082
Remaining Matches: vs KK (May 8), vs LQ (May 9)
Zalmi’s path is the toughest but clear:
✅ Beat Karachi on May 8
✅ Beat Lahore on May 9
➡ Qualify with 12 points
If Peshawar Zalmi lose their match against Lahore Qalandars, they will be eliminated from the tournament. Their only chance of qualifying for the playoffs is by defeating Qalandars.
Focus on Lahore Qalandars: What’s at Stake?
Lahore Qalandars, led by star players and backed by a passionate fanbase, are staring at elimination despite having the second-best NRR in the league. They’ve had an up-and-down season, but it all comes down to one match against Peshawar Zalmi.
Can the Qalandars rise one more time? Or will the dream end before the knockouts?
May 9 will decide everything.
Remaining League Matches – Don’t Miss!
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| May 8 | Peshawar Zalmi vs KK | Rawalpindi |
| May 9 | Peshawar Zalmi vs LQ | Rawalpindi |
| May 10 | Islamabad United vs KK | Rawalpindi |
| May 11 | Quetta Gladiators vs MS | Multan |
