Qualifier 2. Lahore. A stadium packed to the rafters. Stakes high. One side roaring with intent, the other collapsing like a house of cards in a monsoon. Islamabad United’s PSL dream in 2025 ended not with a punch but a whimper, as they succumbed to Lahore Qalandars by a crushing 95 runs, and fumbled their way into submission, ultimately bowing out of the tournament. How did a team with United’s pedigree fall apart so badly? Here are three (heavy-handed) reasons for this shocking defeat.
A Powerhouse Batting Performance by Qalandars
Lahore didn’t just bat – it was a firework display to Islamabad. Mohammad Naeem set the tone early on with an explosive 50 off 25 balls; he is not just a name on the team sheet but a walking, talking chaos machine! Kusal Perera backing him up with a wonderful 61 off 35 balls, showing unflattering elegance and brutality, the pair ensured Lahore would consistently be flying at 10 an over.
Although they lost wickets towards the back-end, Qalandars continued at this pace till the end of the 20th, finishing a formidable 202/8. Islamabad’s bowlers were on the receiving end. Poor Naseem Shah, who went for 0/52 in 4 overs, and Tymal Mills went for 42 with 3 wickets. When your best bowlers are leaking runs like a burst pipe, you know something is bad.
A Catastrophic Top-Order Collapse
If Islamabad had any hope, it had evaporated in the first 4 overs, with the top three – Shahzad, Farhan, and van der Dussen all falling for a total of 10 runs. And just to give Lahore’s bowling some deserved credit, Salman Mirza transformed into a wrecking ball, with bowling figures of 3/16, which included a peach of a delivery to dismiss Farhan and how it transpired, to dismiss van der Dussen, and then Imad Wasim before anyone could say recovery.
You know Shaheen Afridi is always the executioner to finish off Islamabad’s corpse, with 3/3 in 3.1 overs – is that some April fool’s joke?! The batter was always going to leave United reeling at 33/4, and while Agha Salman and Shadab Khan fought to stitch something together, it was clear that the damage had already been done.
No Counterpunch — Just a Tame Surrender
After the top order fell over, United’s middle and lower order collapsed like a cheap lawn chair in a hurricane. There was no Andre Russell-esque rescue act. No gladiatorial innings, not even a streaky cameo to relieve pressure. Salman scratched out 33 in a desert of runs, while Shadab’s cameo flared—only for Rishad’s silent storm to sweep through the camp.
Islamabad lasted a miserable 15.1 overs – a staggering statistic in a do-or-die fixture chasing 203. The final total of 107 is their lowest score in a playoff match, and an all-out collapse in temperament and shot selection.
It was the night of Lahore – they batted like rockstars, bowled like demons, and fielded like their lives depended on it. Islamabad United, in contrast, looked stunned and bewildered by the occasion. Chaos crept in—lines went crooked, minds clouded, and the scoreboard punished every lapse.
Some will argue that cricket is a pressure that reveals/refines character. On May 23, the lights of Lahore burned bright, but United’s resolve flickered and died as Qalandars danced their way into the final.
Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.
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