Sikandar Raza pulled off an extraordinary feat, delivering a match-winning performance for Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) final less than 24 hours after playing for Zimbabwe against England at Trent Bridge.
Immediately after the Test, Raza boarded a flight to Lahore for the PSL final, where the Qalandars had prepared two team sheets one with him and one withoutawaiting his arrival. The early finish in England gave him just enough time to travel across multiple time zones, having “dinner in Birmingham, breakfast in Dubai, lunch in Abu Dhabi, and dinner in Lahore,” where he arrived only 10 minutes before the toss.
Reflecting on his remarkable 24 hours, Raza shared on X (formerly Twitter),
"I know the team truly wanted me here, given the efforts the owners and the captains went through over the last 24-36 hours to get me here. If I tell you, it’s unbelievable. Bowled 25 overs in the Test the day before yesterday, batted for 20 overs yesterday. Had dinner in Birmingham, breakfast in Dubai, drove to Abu Dhabi for lunch, took a flight and had dinner in Pakistan."
Sikandar Raza helps Lahore Qalandars lift PSL title
Chasing 202 runs for victory, Raza walked to the crease with Lahore needing 57 runs off just 20 balls. He quickly swung the momentum, hitting Mohammad Amir for a four and a six in consecutive deliveries. Partner Kusal Perera then followed with three sixes and two fours, intensifying the chase.
With 13 runs required off the final over, Raza kept his cool, smashing a six over point and then a four through mid-wicket to secure a thrilling win with one ball to spare.
Raza also contributed with the ball, taking the crucial wicket of Rilee Rossouw and finishing with figures of 1-43. His all-around heroics capped Lahore Qalandars’ impressive run of three knockout wins en route to clinching their third PSL title in four years, having previously won in the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons.
