PSL X: Lahore Qalandars, Quetta Gladiators battle for glory in final tonight

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 set to begin at 7:30pm, with Monday, 26 May designated as the reserve day due to the forecast 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 the innings break.

This follows earlier tributes during the tournament to the Pakistan Army and Pakistan Air Force in recognition of their successful Operation Bunayn-um-Marsoos amid 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 a chance 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.

Qalandars, led by Shaheen Shah Afridi, had a rocky path to the final, finishing fourth in the league stage with five wins and four losses. However, they peaked at the right time, knocking out Karachi Kings and Islamabad United in the Eliminators to reach their third final in four years.

Gladiators meanwhile, under the leadership of Saud Shakeel, have had a standout season after struggling in the last two editions. They topped the points table with seven wins, just two losses, and one no-result. Their dominant 30-run win over Islamabad United in the Qualifier sealed their place in the final.

The Gladiators will feel at home at the Gaddafi Stadium, where they have registered five wins this season. Their only abandoned game was also in Lahore — against the very team they’ll face tonight.

For Qalandars, Fakhar Zaman (428 runs), Abdullah Shafique (349), and Mohammad Naeem (270) have provided strong batting performances throughout the season.  Their 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 duo of Abrar Ahmed and Faheem Ashraf (16 wickets each), supported by Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Amir, and Mohammad Wasim Jr. Meanwhile, 23-year-old Hasan Nawaz and veteran Rilee Rossouw have led the batting with strike rates over 150.

In head-to-head encounters this season, Lahore has had the edge. They secured a commanding 79-run win in the first meeting, while the second match was washed out after quickfire half-centuries by Naeem and Abdullah. Historically, Qalandars lead the rivalry with 11 wins to Gladiators’ eight across 20 matches.

Speaking ahead of the final, Shakeel said he was honoured to lead 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 said.

Shaheen Afridi, meanwhile, said his side would look to capitalise on home advantage.

“We’ll take confidence from our earlier win against Quetta and aim to complete the treble at our home ground,” he stated.

With national pride, history, and a championship on the line, the PSL 10 final promises to deliver both passion and performance.