PM Shehbaz congratulates Lahore Qalandars, praises all HBL PSL teams

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday congratulated Lahore Qalandars on lifting their third HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) title, and praised all participating teams for demonstrating what he called “excellent sportsmanship” throughout a disrupted but thrilling tenth edition of the tournament.

Lahore Qalandars clinched a dramatic six-wicket win over Quetta Gladiators at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday night.

Chasing a formidable 202-run target, Zimbabwean all-rounder Sikandar Raza sealed victory with a blistering 22 not out off seven balls, smashing two sixes and two boundaries in the final over.

The tournament, already in the spotlight due to escalating tensions between Pakistan and India earlier in May, was briefly paused as both nations engaged in a four-day cross-border conflict.

A US-brokered ceasefire brought an uneasy calm, allowing the HBL PSL to resume after a 10-day break. The Indian Premier League was also affected by the standoff.

Despite the interruption, HBL PSL 10 concluded successfully, drawing praise from political leaders and cricket officials alike.

The prime minister, currently on a four-nation diplomatic visit with his first stop in Türkiye, also extended congratulations to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and the entire administration for organising the high-profile event under challenging circumstances.

He further acknowledged the contribution of international players, stating their involvement “made this successful event possible.”

Lahore Qalandars now join Islamabad United as the only teams to win three HBL PSL titles, with their previous wins coming in 2022 and 2023. The victory reaffirms their dominance in the T20 league’s recent history.

A public reception for the team is expected in the coming days, according to Lahore city officials.