Qalandars target historic treble as Gladiators aim to break six-year title drought in PSL 10 finale
LAHORE: The grand finale of the 10th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) is all set to take place this Sunday at Lahore’s iconic Gaddafi Stadium, featuring a high-voltage clash between two-time champions Lahore Qalandars and 2019 title holders Quetta Gladiators.
Journey to the Final
After 33 gripping contests in this milestone season, the race for the trophy has boiled down to these two sides, each taking a different path to the summit.
Quetta Gladiators, who exited early last year in the first Eliminator, have made a remarkable turnaround in PSL 10. They dominated the league phase, registering seven wins from ten games to finish on top of the points table. Their strong campaign continued in the playoffs, where they convincingly defeated defending champions Islamabad United by 30 runs in the Qualifier to book a place in their first final since lifting the trophy in 2019.
Led by Saud Shakeel, the Gladiators have thrived at their adopted fortress, the Gaddafi Stadium, winning five out of six games there, with one match washed out due to bad weather. Their bowling arsenal, spearheaded by Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Amir, Faheem Ashraf, and Mohammad Wasim Jr, has played a vital role in their success. Batting responsibilities have been shouldered by veterans like Rilee Rossouw and the emerging Hasan Nawaz, who have accumulated 250 and 323 runs respectively.
However, the team faces an injury concern, as Hasan Nawaz is in doubt for the final after reportedly twisting his ankle during training earlier this week. The franchise has not issued any official update on his fitness.
On the flip side, Lahore Qalandars had a more turbulent journey to the final. Finishing fourth in the group stage with five wins and four losses, they had to overcome two knockout games, where they convincingly beat rivals Karachi Kings and then Islamabad United to seal their spot in the final.
The Qalandars’ top-order trio of Fakhar Zaman (428 runs), Abdullah Shafique (349), and Mohammad Naeem (270) has provided much-needed firepower. Despite key overseas players like Sikandar Raza, Daryl Mitchell, and Sam Billings being unavailable, replacements Kusal Perera and Bhanuka Rajapaksa have made a significant impact in the latter stages of the tournament.
Their bowling unit—touted as one of the fiercest in the league—is living up to its reputation. Shaheen Shah Afridi (16 wickets), Haris Rauf (15), and Rishad Hossain (12) are all among the top wicket-takers of PSL 10.
Weather Worries
On Saturday, Lahore was struck by a severe dust storm followed by rain, casting uncertainty over Sunday’s final. While the rainfall has brought relief from the ongoing heatwave, it may also pose a threat to the much-anticipated final.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast further showers on match day, with temperatures expected to range between 40 to 42°C. In anticipation of weather-related disruptions, the PCB has designated Monday, May 26, as a reserve day for the final.
However, if adverse conditions prevent a result on both days, the PSL regulations (Article 16.11.1.3) state that the team with the higher ranking at the end of the league stage will be declared champions. This would hand the title to Quetta Gladiators, who finished with 15 points compared to Lahore’s 11.
Head-to-Head Record
These two teams have faced each other twice in PSL 10, with Lahore winning one encounter by a hefty 79-run margin while the second meeting ended with no result.
Historically, out of 20 matches between the two franchises since PSL’s inception in 2016, Lahore holds the edge with 11 wins. Quetta has won eight, while one match ended without a result.
Matches: 20
Lahore Qalandars Wins: 11
Quetta Gladiators Wins: 8
No Result: 1
Form Heading into the Final
Both sides carry strong form into the title clash. The Gladiators are unbeaten in their last eight matches, while the Qalandars have won four out of their last five, losing only once.
Quetta Gladiators: W, W, W, W, NR (latest first)
Lahore Qalandars: W, W, W, L, NR
Team Lineups
Quetta Gladiators Squad: Saud Shakeel (c), Avishka Fernando, Faheem Ashraf, Finn Allen, Mohammad Amir, Abrar Ahmed, Rilee Rossouw, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Dinesh Chandimal, Khurram Shahzad, Hasebullah Khan, Gulbadin Naib, Khawaja Nafay, Usman Tariq, Hassan Nawaz (E), Muhammad Zeeshan (E), Ali Majid, Shoaib Malik, Danish Aziz.
Lahore Qalandars Squad: Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), Shakib Al Hasan, Fakhar Zaman, Kusal Perera, Haris Rauf, Sikandar Raza, Abdullah Shafique, Zaman Khan, Jahandad Khan, Asif Afridi, Asif Ali, Muhammad Akhlaq, Momin Qamar (E), Mohammad Azab (E), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Salman Mirza, Mohammad Naeem (E).
