LAHORE (Kashmir English): The Pakistan Super League’s X season will come to a thrilling end tonight in Lahore. Two former champions, Lahore Qalandars and Quetta Gladiators, will meet in the much-anticipated PSL X final live tonight.
The match is scheduled to begin at 7:30PM, with a reserve day set for Monday, May 26, due to the possibility of rain.
Adding a patriotic touch to the evening, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a special tribute to the Pakistan Navy, which will take place during the innings break.
This follows earlier ceremonies held in honour of the Pakistan Army and Pakistan Air Force during the tournament, recognising their efforts in Operation Bunayn-um-Marsoos amid heightened tensions with India.
The PSL X final live winner will not only take home the trophy but also receive a prize of $500,000. The runners-up will earn $200,000.
Lahore Qalandars have the chance to become only the second side in PSL history to win three titles, while Quetta Gladiators are chasing their first championship since their 2019 triumph.
Under the leadership of Shaheen Shah Afridi, the Qalandars ended the league stage in fourth place after five wins and four losses. But they made it in the right spot, defeating Karachi Kings and Islamabad United to qualify for the final, their third attempt in four years.
In recent years, the Gladiators didn’t perform very well, but under Saud Shakeel they have had a strong season. They ended up leading the group with seven wins, two defeats and one no-result. After that, they had a convincing 30-run victory in the Qualifier against Islamabad.
Playing at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium could favour Quetta, who have already won five matches there this season. Their only abandoned fixture was also in Lahore, against tonight’s rivals.
For the Qalandars, Fakhar Zaman (428 runs), Abdullah Shafique (349), and Mohammad Naeem (270) have been in solid form with the bat. Their bowling has also been a key strength, with Shaheen Afridi (16 wickets), Haris Rauf (15), and Rishad Hossain (12) all playing vital roles.
Quetta’s bowling unit is well-balanced, with Abrar Ahmed and Faheem Ashraf both taking 16 wickets. They’ve had support from Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Amir, and Mohammad Wasim Jr. On the batting front, 23-year-old Hasan Nawaz and seasoned campaigner Rilee Rossouw have impressed with strike rates above 150.
Lahore holds the upper hand in recent meetings. They won their first match this season against Quetta by 79 runs, while the second was washed out after quick half-centuries from Naeem and Abdullah. Overall, the Qalandars have 11 wins against Quetta’s eight from their 20 encounters.
Speaking before the final, Saud Shakeel said he felt privileged to lead the Gladiators in such an important game. “Lahore Qalandars are an exciting opposition for a high-stakes game, and I’m sure the fans will witness a highly competitive final,” he said.
Shaheen Afridi, on the other hand, is looking forward to making the most of playing at home. “We’ll take confidence from our earlier win against Quetta and aim to complete the treble at our home ground,” he said.
With pride, history, and the title all on the line, the PSL X final live promises a gripping contest to close out the season.
