The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 final, held on May 25, 2025, at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, was a gripping contest that saw the Lahore Qalandars clinch their third PSL title, defeating the Quetta Gladiators by 6 wickets with one ball to spare. Chasing 202, the Qalandars showcased resilience and clutch performances to secure the victory in a match that lived up to its billing as a classic final. Below is the revised match analysis incorporating the accurate scorecards for both teams.

Match Summary

  • Toss: Quetta Gladiators won the toss and elected to bat.
  • Quetta Gladiators: 201/9 (20 overs)
  • Lahore Qalandars: 204/4 (19.5 overs)
  • Result: Lahore Qalandars won by 6 wickets with 1 ball remaining.
  • Player of the Match: Kusal Perera (62* off 31 balls).

Quetta Gladiators’ Innings: Hasan Nawaz’s Heroics, Late Collapse

Quetta Gladiators posted 201/9 in their 20 overs, driven by Hasan Nawaz’s fiery 76 off 43 balls. Their innings saw a strong middle phase but faltered at the death.

Powerplay (Overs 1-6): 47/3

Quetta started shakily, with captain Saud Shakeel (4 off 6) caught behind off Shaheen Afridi in the second over. Finn Allen (12 off 11) hit two fours but fell to Salman Mirza in the fourth over, caught by Haris Rauf. Rilee Rossouw (22 off 11, 4 fours, 1 six) provided a brief spark before Sikandar Raza dismissed him in the sixth over, caught by Shaheen. Quetta ended the powerplay at 47/3, with Hasan Nawaz (3*) and Avishka Fernando at the crease.

Middle Overs (Overs 7-15): 98/1

Hasan Nawaz and Avishka Fernando (29 off 22, 5 fours) steadied the innings with a 92-run stand. Nawaz was aggressive, smashing four sixes, including one off Rishad Hossain over long-on. Fernando fell in the 14th over, caught by Shaheen off Rishad Hossain. Quetta reached 145/4 by the 15th over, with Nawaz (62*) and Dinesh Chandimal (1*) at the crease.

Death Overs (Overs 16-20): 56/5

Quetta collapsed late, losing 5 wickets for 56 runs. Nawaz (76 off 43, 8 fours, 4 sixes) fell in the 18th over to Shaheen, followed by Chandimal (22 off 13, 2 sixes), caught off Shaheen in the 19th. Faheem Ashraf’s quickfire 28 off 8 (2 fours, 3 sixes) ended with a catch by Mohammad Naeem off Salman Mirza. Haris Rauf dismissed Mohammad Amir (0) and Abrar Ahmed (0) in quick succession, while Khurram Shahzad (2* off 3) remained not out.

Key Performers for Quetta:

  • Hasan Nawaz: 76 off 43 (8 fours, 4 sixes)
  • Faheem Ashraf: 28 off 8 (2 fours, 3 sixes)
  • Avishka Fernando: 29 off 22 (5 fours)

Lahore’s Bowling Analysis:

  • Shaheen Afridi: 4-0-32-3
  • Salman Mirza: 4-0-35-2
  • Haris Rauf: 4-0-38-2
  • Rishad Hossain: 4-0-42-1
  • Sikandar Raza: 3-0-24-1

Lahore Qalandars’ Innings: A Chase of Power and Precision

Chasing 202, the Qalandars needed 10.1 runs per over. Kusal Perera’s unbeaten 62 off 31 and Sikandar Raza’s finishing touch ensured a successful chase.

Powerplay (Overs 1-6): 52/1

Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Naeem opened for Lahore. Fakhar (11 off 10, 2 fours) started with intent, hitting two boundaries off Khurram Shahzad, but was trapped lbw by Abrar Ahmed in the fourth over. Mohammad Naeem (46 off 27, 1 four, 6 sixes) was explosive, smashing three sixes in the fifth over off Faheem Ashraf. At the end of the powerplay, Lahore were 52/1, with Naeem (32*) and Abdullah Shafique at the crease, needing 150 off 84 balls.

Middle Overs (Overs 7-15): 97/2

Naeem and Shafique built a 78-run partnership. Naeem continued his assault, clearing the ropes with ease, while Shafique (41 off 28, 4 fours, 1 six) played a more measured role, finding gaps with precision. Naeem fell in the 10th over, caught by Avishka Fernando at long-on off Faheem Ashraf. Shafique was dismissed in the 14th over, caught by Khurram Shahzad at deep midwicket off Usman Tariq. Kusal Perera (18*) and Bhanuka Rajapaksa joined forces, taking Lahore to 149/3 by the 15th over, needing 53 off 30 balls.

Death Overs (Overs 16-20): 55/1

Bhanuka Rajapaksa (14 off 16, 1 four, 1 six) provided a brief cameo but fell in the 17th over, caught by Fernando off Mohammad Amir. Kusal Perera (62* off 31, 5 fours, 4 sixes) took charge, smashing a six over deep cover-point off Faheem Ashraf in the 18th over to bring the equation to 24 off 12. Sikandar Raza (22* off 7, 2 fours, 2 sixes) finished in style, hitting two sixes off Abrar Ahmed in the 19th over and sealing the win with a boundary through deep midwicket off Khurram Shahzad in the final over. Lahore finished at 204/4 in 19.5 overs.

Key Performers for Lahore:

  • Kusal Perera: 62* off 31 (5 fours, 4 sixes) – Anchored the chase with aggression and composure.
  • Mohammad Naeem: 46 off 27 (1 four, 6 sixes) – Set the tone with a fiery powerplay.
  • Sikandar Raza: 22* off 7 (2 fours, 2 sixes) – The clutch finisher.

Quetta’s Bowling Analysis:

  • Mohammad Amir: 4-0-29-1 (Tight but couldn’t stop the late surge.)
  • Faheem Ashraf: 4-0-48-1 (Dismissed Naeem but was expensive.)
  • Usman Tariq: 4-0-38-1 (Got Shafique but lacked consistency.)
  • Abrar Ahmed: 4-0-40-1 (Dismissed Fakhar but was hit in the death overs.)
  • Khurram Shahzad: 3.5-0-46-0 (Leaked runs in the final over.)

Tactical Breakdown

Quetta Gladiators:

  • What Worked: Hasan Nawaz’s 76 provided a platform, and Faheem Ashraf’s late blitz pushed Quetta past 200. Abrar Ahmed’s early strike to dismiss Fakhar put Lahore under pressure.
  • What Didn’t: Quetta’s death batting collapsed, losing 5 wickets in the final five overs. Their bowling lacked discipline in the death, with Khurram Shahzad and Faheem Ashraf conceding crucial boundaries and sixes.

Lahore Qalandars:

  • What Worked: Shaheen Afridi’s 3/32 and timely bowling changes restricted Quetta. Promoting Mohammad Naeem to open paid off, as his 46 set the tone. Kusal Perera and Sikandar Raza’s finishing ensured the chase stayed on track.
  • What Didn’t: Early loss of Fakhar in the powerplay put pressure on the middle order. Rishad Hossain’s 4-0-42 was expensive in the middle overs.

Turning Points

  1. Mohammad Naeem’s Powerplay Assault (5th Over, Lahore Innings): Naeem’s three sixes off Faheem Ashraf kept Lahore ahead of the required rate.
  2. Hasan Nawaz’s Dismissal (18th Over, Quetta Innings): Nawaz’s 76 had Quetta on track for 220+, but Shaheen’s strike triggered a collapse.
  3. Kusal Perera’s Six in the 18th Over (Lahore Innings): Perera’s six over deep cover-point off Faheem Ashraf reduced the equation to 24 off 12.
  4. Sikandar Raza’s Finish: Raza’s two sixes in the 19th over and the winning boundary in the final over sealed the game.

Impact Players

  • Kusal Perera (Lahore): His 62* was the defining knock, ensuring Lahore stayed in the chase.
  • Sikandar Raza (Lahore): A last-minute addition, Raza’s 22* off 7 balls finished the game in style.
  • Hasan Nawaz (Quetta): His 76 off 43 was a valiant effort, giving Quetta a competitive total.
  • Shaheen Afridi (Lahore): With 3/32, Shaheen was pivotal in restricting Quetta.

Statistical Highlights

  • Highest Chase in PSL Finals History: Lahore’s 204/4 surpassed the previous highest (Multan Sultans’ 180/5 in 2021).
  • Shaheen Afridi’s Record: Shaheen’s 3 wickets took his tally to 15 in PSL finals, the most by any bowler.
  • Mohammad Naeem’s Sixes: Naeem’s 6 sixes in the final are the most by a Lahore batsman in a PSL final.

Conclusion

The PSL 2025 final was a thrilling encounter, with Lahore Qalandars emerging as deserving champions. Quetta Gladiators fought hard, driven by Hasan Nawaz’s brilliance, but their late batting collapse and inability to defend in the death overs cost them. For Lahore, Kusal Perera, Sikandar Raza, and Mohammad Naeem’s contributions, backed by Shaheen Afridi’s bowling, ensured their third PSL title.

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