The grand finale of Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 10 is set for a thrilling showdown in Lahore today, as two-time champions Lahore Qalandars take on 2019 titleholders Quetta Gladiators in a battle for supremacy.
The match is scheduled to commence at 7:30 PM PKT, with Monday, May 26, designated as the reserve day in anticipation of rain.
Adding a moment of national pride to the cricketing spectacle, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that a special tribute will be paid to the Pakistan Navy during the innings break. A ceremony will be held during this interval.
This follows earlier tributes within the tournament to the Pakistan Army and Pakistan Air Force, in recognition of their successful Operation Bunayn-um-Marsoos amidst recent tensions with India.
The curtain will fall on PSL X as tonight’s winner will walk away with the coveted trophy and a prize of $500,000, while the runners-up will receive $200,000.
It’s an opportunity for Lahore Qalandars to become only the second team in PSL history to clinch a third title, or for Quetta Gladiators to lift the trophy for the first time since 2019.
The Qalandars, led by Shaheen Shah Afridi, had a challenging path to the final, finishing fourth in the league stage with five wins and four losses. However, they hit their stride at the opportune moment, eliminating Karachi Kings and Islamabad United in the Eliminators to reach their third final in four years.
Meanwhile, the Gladiators, under the leadership of Saud Shakeel, have enjoyed a standout season after struggling in the last two editions. They topped the points table with seven wins, only two losses, and one no-result. Their commanding 30-run victory over Islamabad United in the Qualifier secured their spot in the final.
The Gladiators will feel comfortable at the Gaddafi Stadium, where they have recorded five wins this season. Their only abandoned game was also in Lahore — against the very team they’ll face tonight.
For the Qalandars, Fakhar Zaman (428 runs), Abdullah Shafique (349), and Mohammad Naeem (270) have delivered strong batting performances throughout the season. Their formidable pace attack — featuring Shaheen (16 wickets), Haris Rauf (15), and Rishad Hossain (12) — has been instrumental in turning games around.
Quetta’s bowling strength lies in the spin and pace combination of Abrar Ahmed and Faheem Ashraf (16 wickets each), supported by Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Amir, and Mohammad Wasim Jr. Simultaneously, 23-year-old Hasan Nawaz and veteran Rilee Rossouw have spearheaded the batting with strike rates exceeding 150.
In head-to-head encounters this season, Lahore has held the upper hand. They secured a dominant 79-run win in their first meeting, while the second match was washed out after quickfire half-centuries by Naeem and Abdullah. Historically, the Qalandars lead the rivalry with 11 wins to the Gladiators’ eight across 20 matches.
Speaking ahead of the final, Shakeel expressed his honor at leading the Gladiators in a match of this magnitude.
“Lahore Qalandars are an exciting opposition for a high-stakes game, and I’m sure the fans will witness a highly competitive final,” he stated.
Shaheen Afridi, meanwhile, affirmed that his side would aim to capitalize on their home advantage.
“We’ll take confidence from our earlier win against Quetta and aim to complete the treble at our home ground,” he declared.
With national pride, historical significance, and a championship title at stake, the PSL 10 final promises to deliver both intense passion and exceptional performance.
