Lahore Qalandars clinch HBL PSLX title
Lahore Qalanders players celebrate with the HBL PSLX Trophy at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Photo: M Shafiq Awan/express
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A breathtaking 59-run match-winning partnership off just 37 balls between Kusal Perera and Sikandar Raza propelled Lahore Qalandars to a nail-biting six-wicket victory over Quetta Gladiators and lifting the HBL PSL X title in front of a packed house of 34,000 fans at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Sunday night.
By virtue of their victory, the Qalandars became only the second team to achieve this milestone three times, emulating the feat of Islamabad United.
In a thrilling chase of 202 runs, Lahore Qalandars began aggressively with Mohammad Naeem and Fakhar Zaman laying a strong foundation. The duo put together a 39-run opening partnership, setting the tone for the innings.
However, the partnership was broken when Fakhar was dismissed by Abrar Ahmed after scoring just 11 runs off 10 balls, including two boundaries.
Abdullah Shafique then joined Naeem at the crease, and the pair quickly accelerated, hitting boundaries and building a crucial second-wicket partnership. The 26-year-old was in fiery form as he approached his PSL 10 fifty, but his innings came to an end courtesy of Faheem Ashraf.
The opening batter scored a valuable 47 runs off 27 deliveries, featuring a boundary and six sixes. His dismissal ended the important 46-run stand, with the team positioned at 85 for 2 after 8.4 overs.
Abdullah Shafique continued to impress, forging a 30-run partnership with Kusal Perera, who also contributed important runs with his eyes set on surpassing the target.
The partnership was eventually broken by Usman Tariq, who dismissed Shafique. Shafique played a fiery knock of 41 runs off 28 balls, including four boundaries and a six, with the team at 115 for 3 in 12.3 overs.
In the 17th over, Mohammad Amir picked up his first wicket, dismissing Rajapaksa, who scored 14 off 16, leaving the side at 145-4 in 16.4 overs.
Sikandar Raza and Perera then went on a rampage and started hitting boundaries to finally earn a grand win for Qalandars.
Earlier, after winning the toss and electing to bat first, Quetta suffered an early setback as captain Saud Shakeel was dismissed by Qalandars' skipper and left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi for just four runs off six balls, leaving the Gladiators at 17-1 in 2.4 overs.
Quetta's troubles continued in the next over when Salman Mirza removed Finn Allen for 12 off 11 deliveries, putting the side under early pressure. However, a 38-run partnership between Rilee Rossouw and Hasan Nawaz steadied the innings.
Dinesh Chandimal then joined Nawaz and provided valuable support, striking two sixes off Sikandar Raza in the 17th over to propel the score to 170-4.
Shaheen Afridi returned to halt the charge, removing Chandimal for a brisk 22 off 13 balls. Two balls later, he struck again, dismissing the well-set Hasan Nawaz for a brilliant 76 off 43 deliveries, reducing Quetta to 172-6 in 17.5 overs.
However, Faheem Ashraf played a vital cameo in the final over, smashing 28 off just eight balls, including multiple boundaries, to help Quetta breach the 200-run mark. He was dismissed on the final delivery of the innings.
Tribute paid to Pakistan Navy
Rich tributes were paid to the officers and soldiers of the Pakistan Navy in the innings break during the PSL X final. The ceremony was attended by Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, US embassy Islamabad Charge D'affaires Natalie Baker, senior civil and military leadership were present on the occasion.
Lahore win prize of $500,000, Quetta $200,000 as runners-up.
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