LAHORE – Lahore Qalandars produced a commanding all-round performance to thrash Islamabad United by 95 runs and secure their place in the HBL PSL 10 final against Quetta Gladiators. In front of a jubilant home crowd at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore dominated with both bat and ball, setting up a high-voltage title clash with Quetta Gladiators. After being put into bat, Qalandars posted an imposing total of 202 for 8 in their 20 overs, led by explosive knocks from Kusal Perera (61 off 35) and Mohammad Naeem (50 off 25). The two left-handers launched a brutal assault on United’s bowlers, combining aggression with finesse to build a formidable platform.
Perera’s whirlwind innings included 7 fours and 2 sixes, while Naeem’s stroke-filled half-century came at a stunning strike rate of 200. Abdullah Shafique and Bhanuka Rajapaksa chipped in with valuable runs before late cameos from Asif Ali (15 off 7) and Rishad Hossain helped Qalandars breach the 200-run mark. Despite Tymal Mills taking three wickets, Islamabad’s bowlers struggled to contain Lahore’s top order, with Imad Wasim (1/16) being the only economical option.
Chasing the target of 203 runs, Islamabad United never got going. Their top order crumbled under pressure, slumping to 12 for 3 inside the first four overs. Shaheen Shah Afridi, leading from the front, bowled a fiery spell to return figures of 3 for 3 in 3.1 overs, while Salman Mirza also clinched 3 wickets for 16 and Rishad Hossain grabbed 3 for 34 to ensure there was no recovery.
Salman Agha emerged as top scorer from Islamabad United with 33 off 26 balls while captain Shadab Khan, who remained instrumental throughout the PSL 10, showed some resistance, but it was too little, too late as he could add 26 runs off 14 balls in his team’s total. United were eventually bundled out for just 107 in 15.1 overs, which was their lowest total this season. The emphatic 95-run win marks a strong statement from the defending champions, who now aim to clinch a historic hat-trick of lifting the PSL trophy in Sunday’s (May 25, 2025) grand finale against favourite team of the PSL 10, Quetta Gladiators, at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium Lahore.
Scores in Brief
LAHORE QALANDARS 202/8 (Kusal Perera 61, Mohammad Naeem 50; Tymal Mills 3/42, Salman Irshad 2/40) beat ISLAMABAD UNITED 107 all out in 15.1 overs (Salman Agha 33, Shadab Khan 26; Shaheen Afridi 3/3, Salman Mirza 3/16, Rishad Hossain 3/34) by 95 runs.
