LAHORE, Pakistan: A special ceremony was held during the final of Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 10 to honour the Pakistan Navy.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Naveed Ashraf, attended the event as the guest of honour, alongside Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.
Former PCB Chairman Najam Sethi was also present on this memorable occasion.
Renowned singers Nadeem Abbas and Abrarul Haq enthralled the audience with their captivating performances, while the stadium echoed with resounding chants of “Pakistan Army Zindabad.”
Night of Cricket and Culture
The PCB orchestrated an unforgettable evening, blending high-stakes cricket with vibrant cultural performances.
During the mid-innings break, the crowd was enthralled by live musical acts from renowned Pakistani artists.
Abrar-ul-Haq and Nadeem Abbas delivered captivating performances, while Rizwan Mirza and Hussain Ali Pracha added to the festive atmosphere.
The ceremony concluded with a fireworks display, illuminating the sky with vibrant colours.
Gladiators Set a Formidable Target
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Quetta Gladiators posted a challenging total of 201/9 in their allotted 20 overs. Hasan Nawaz led the charge with a blistering 76 off 43 deliveries, supported by Avishka Fernando’s 29 and Faheem Ashraf’s explosive 28 off just 8 balls in the closing overs.
Despite early setbacks, including the dismissal of captain Saud Shakeel for 4 runs, the Gladiators’ middle-order resilience ensured a competitive score.
A Season Marked by Resilience
PSL 10 faced unprecedented challenges, including a temporary suspension due to heightened tensions between Pakistan and India. The league resumed on 17 May following a ceasefire agreement, with matches dedicated to honouring Pakistan’s Armed Forces for their service and sacrifice.
The final, originally scheduled for 18 May, was rescheduled to 25 May to accommodate the revised fixtures.
Since the league’s inception in 2016, Lahore Qalandars and Quetta Gladiators have faced each other 20 times. The Qalandars hold a slight edge with 11 victories, while the Gladiators have secured 8 wins.
In the current season, the Qalandars dominated the first encounter with a 79-run victory, and the second match concluded without a result.
Team Line-ups
Quetta Gladiators:
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:
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.
