Sikandar Raza’s Remarkable Dash from Trent Bridge to PSL Final

Qalandars’ Dual Team Sheets

Lahore Qalandars had prepared two team sheets for the PSL 2025 final – one including Sikandar Raza and the other without him. Eventually, the franchise managed to field its star all-rounder just in time.

From England to Lahore in Under 24 Hours

Less than a day earlier, Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza was battling to save his side from an innings defeat in the Test against England at Trent Bridge. He scored a resilient 60 off 68 before falling lbw to Zak Crawley for 124, sealing Zimbabwe’s loss.

Within hours, Raza boarded a flight to Lahore to join the Qalandars for the final against the Quetta Gladiators. Such was the team’s urgency that they rushed him directly from the airport—where he landed barely ten minutes before the toss—straight to the ground. Lahore had initially kept Shakib Al Hasan ready as a backup in case Raza failed to arrive on time.

A Season of Constant Travel

Raza’s journey reflected his hectic PSL season. He began the competition strongly for Qalandars before leaving when the league was suspended. When play resumed, he flew back from England for a crucial knockout against Peshawar Zalmi, helping Lahore qualify before returning to his Zimbabwe teammates for the Test series.

Lahore’s Bold Gamble Pays Off

In just three days, Zimbabwe suffered an innings defeat while Lahore marched into the final with successive playoff wins. Determined to have Raza available, Qalandars flew him in immediately after the Test ended on Saturday.

By the time of the toss, his plane had touched down, though he had not yet reached the stadium. Still, Lahore named him in their XI, leaving Shakib out. Quetta chose to bat first, and Raza’s incredible turnaround from Trent Bridge to Lahore became one of the most remarkable stories of the season.