If there’s one thing Shaheen Shah Afridi knows how to do, it’s win titles. And on Sunday night at the Gaddafi Stadium, the Lahore Qalandars captain etched his name in Pakistan Super League (PSL) history by becoming the first-ever captain to lift three PSL trophies.
That’s right. Three. A feat unmatched by anyone in the league’s history. And this one? This one had drama, nerves, big hits, and a finish that only PSL finals seem to masterfully script.
Shaheen Afridi: The PSL Kingpin
At just 25, Shaheen Afridi has done what seasoned leaders couldn’t — build a dynasty. He took over a misfiring Lahore Qalandars in 2022 and turned them into serial winners.
- 🏆 2022: Champions
- 🏆 2023: Champions again
- 🏆 2025 (PSL 10): ONCE AGAIN CHAMPIONS
While others like Misbah, Sammy, and Rizwan have one title each to their names, Shaheen now stands head and shoulders above the rest. And let’s be honest — it’s not just the trophies, it’s the way he’s led from the front that’s won him the league’s respect.
A Final for the Ages: Qalandars vs Gladiators
Lahore’s final showdown against Quetta Gladiators was nothing short of a rollercoaster. Set a daunting 202-run target, Qalandars needed something special. And boy, did they deliver!
Youngster Mohammad Naeem wasted no time and went into beast mode early on. His 47 off just 27 balls — featuring six towering sixes — gave Lahore the kind of start every team dreams of in a chase like this.
His aggressive opening stand of 39 and then a 46-run partnership with Abdullah Shafique ensured Lahore had their foot on the pedal early.
Shafique wasn’t far behind either. With a solid 41 off 28, including four classy boundaries and a big six, he kept the scoreboard ticking until his dismissal left Lahore at 115/3 in the 13th over.
With Naeem and Shafique back in the dugout, the pressure started to mount. Thisara Perera and Bhanuka Rajapaksa found themselves bogged down by some crafty bowling from the Gladiators.
The required run rate? Creeping over 10. The crowd? Anxious.
But then came the man who had just jetted in from England after a Test match — Sikandar Raza.
Raza and Perera: The Calm Before the Carnage
Raza’s cool head and Perera’s brute force formed the perfect storm. Raza released the pressure with back-to-back boundaries off Mohammad Amir — not an easy feat at the death.
Meanwhile, Perera brought up a rapid-fire fifty in just 28 balls, showing that his experience in crunch moments is still priceless.
And then came the final over. 13 needed off 6. Tension. Silence. Drama. With 8 needed off 3 balls, Raza did what match-winners do — he backed himself.
A crunching six over cover point off Faheem Ashraf brought the crowd to its feet. One ball later, he whipped the next delivery to the midwicket fence.
The Legacy Grows
This victory wasn’t just about the final — it was about a team that’s grown under a leader who has matured faster than anyone expected.
Shaheen Afridi isn’t just collecting trophies — he’s building a legacy. And with a balanced squad, young guns firing, and seasoned stars delivering under pressure, Lahore Qalandars now look like a PSL superpower.
And for fans? This wasn’t just another win. It was a night to remember. A captain to celebrate. And a team that’s now written its name in gold.
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