- Web Desk
- 10 Hours ago
No rest for Raza: England test one day, PSL final the next
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- Web Desk
- May 26, 2025
LAHORE: Zimbabwean cricket Sikandar Raza scored the winning runs of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) final on Sunday night, less than 24 hours after he played against a test against England in Nottingham.
Raza’s 60 off 68 second innings knock seemed to be in vain as Zimbabwe lost by an innings and 45 runs on Saturday. But, there was no time for Raza to be upset at the defeat. He had another match to play less than 24 hours later. His Lahore Qalandars would be competing in the PSL final against the Quetta Gladiators.
And so, he was driven to brimgingham, before being flown to Dubai. He then waited six hours to get on another flight in Abu Dhabi, and then finally arrived at Lahore. As the toss was happening at Gaddafi Stadium, Raza was on his way from the airport.
The match that ensued was closely fought war that came down to the final over. After the Gladiators set a target of 201, losing nine wickets in the process including one taken by Raza, the Qalandars faced a tall task. Completing the highest successful chase in any T20 final ever.
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And they did just that. Raza entered the game in the 17th over, immediately hitting a four on the first delivery he faced, and then a six on the second.
With three overs remaining, Lahore still needed 47 runs. In the 18th and 19th overs, Kusal Perera hit three sixes and two fours to cut down that target. In total, Perera had a team high knock of 62 off 31.
However, it was Raza who put the finishing touches on the match. With three deliveries remaining, the Qalandars needed eight runs to win. So Raza hit a six off the first ball, and four on the next, winning the match, with a ball to spare.
Raza made 22 runs off 7 delveries, and took the wicket of Rilee Roussouw. The Qalandars won by six wickets, and are now tied with Isalmabad United for the franchise with the most league titles.
