Qalandars are the new PSL champions

LAHORE: Lahore Qalandars on Sunday overhauled a target of 202 set by Quetta Gladiators as they won the Pakistan Super League (PSL) final by six wickets to clinch the title for the third time.

At the end, Kusal Parera proved to be the difference between the two sides, as he help the Qalandars crossed the line with 62 runs of 31 balls.

However, he was ably assisted by Sikandar Raza – another foreign player – who hit 22 of just seven balls. The Lahore-born Zimbabwe cricketer also hit the winning runs.

TARGET

A quick-fire 76 from 43 balls by Hassan Nawaz and an eight-ball cameo which saw Faheem scoring 28 runs helped Quetta Gladiators post 201 in their allotted overs against Lahore Qalandars in the PSL final on Sunday.    

During their innings, the Gladiators managed to recover from a shaky start.

They had lost their captain Saud Shakeel (4) at 17 in the third over, followed by Finn Allen (12) in the fourth when the total was 21.

Rilee Rossouw was next to go at 58 in the seventh over. He just managed 22 runs albeit in only 11 balls.

Later, Avishkha Fernando was dismissed after a 67-run partnership. He scored 29 of 22 balls.

However, Hassan Nawaz continued piling up runs after he arrived at the crease with the loss of Allen. Shaheen Afridi dismissed him in the 18th over when the team total had reached 172.

Afridi had earlier in the same over had removed Danish Chandimal who scored 22 of 13 balls.

However, it brought Faheem Ashraf at the crease who smashed three sixes and a four to ensure that the Gladiators had crossed the 200-run mark.

In an attempt to send the ball out of the ground, he was ninth to go on the last ball of the Gladiators’ knock.

TOSS

Earlier, Saud of the Gladiators won the toss and decided to bat against the Qalandars. Being the top ranked team, it was Saud who flipped the coin.

After winning the toss, the Gladiators’ captain said they would try to post a big total to create scoreboard pressure on their rivals.

On the other hand, Afridi said his side were to try giving their best and hoped that the crowd would support the home side.

The Gladiators were in the final after they won the first eliminator against Islamabad United – the two sides occupying the first and second slots respectively on the points table.

Each team played 10 matches in a six-team competition, meaning they had to face their rivals twice during the round robin league stage.    

However, the Qalandars reached the PSL final through a longer route because they were fourth on the point table behind the Karachi Kings.

That is why they first had to overcome the Kings’ challenge in the first eliminator, while they also defeated the Islamabad United – the reigning champions – in the second.

Meanwhile, the United were the most successful team in the PSL history, with three titles, till Sunday. The Qalandars too have now grabbed the trophy thrice. Meanwhile, the Gladiators, the Zalmi, the Kings and the Sultans have emerged victorious once each.