Sikandar Raza’s Dramatic Arrival and Heroics Power Lahore Qalandars to Third PSL Title

Batting first, Quetta Gladiators posted a competitive total of 157 runs.

By DTD- On May 26, 2025

LAHORE — In one of the most dramatic individual performances in Pakistan Super League (PSL) history, Zimbabwean all-rounder Sikandar Raza helped Lahore Qalandars clinch their third PSL title — just minutes after arriving in the country.

Raza landed in Lahore only ten minutes before the toss of the PSL 10 final and joined the team directly from the airport. Despite enduring a grueling 10-hour journey, he emerged as the match-winner in Qalandars’ thrilling six-wicket victory over Quetta Gladiators.

Just a day earlier, Raza had played a Test match for Zimbabwe in Nottingham, England. He then had dinner in Birmingham, breakfast in Dubai, and caught a connecting flight from Abu Dhabi to Lahore — a whirlwind trip that ended with him stepping onto the field moments before the final began.

Batting first, Quetta Gladiators posted a competitive total of 157 runs. Lahore’s chase faltered under pressure, but Raza turned the game on its head in the final overs. He smashed 22 runs off just 7 balls, including the match-winning shot on the final delivery. Earlier, he had also taken the crucial wicket of Rilee Rossouw, helping restrict the Gladiators during their innings.

As the Qalandars sealed the win, an emotional and exhausted Raza was hoisted onto his teammates’ shoulders — the ultimate recognition of a performance that electrified fans and defined the final.

“Team needed me, so I ignored the fatigue and travelled. I’m lucky to be part of this side,” Raza said in a post-match interview, reflecting on his dramatic entrance and pivotal role.

The final saw strong contributions from other Qalandars players, including Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Naeem, Abdullah Shafique, and captain Shaheen Shah Afridi. Quetta’s squad, led by Saud Shakeel, included big names like Rilee Rossouw, Faheem Ashraf, and Mohammad Amir, but they couldn’t hold off the Qalandars in the closing overs.

From stepping off the plane to hitting the winning shot, Sikandar Raza’s performance will be remembered as one of PSL’s most iconic moments — a story of determination, resilience, and unmatched commitment.