Dinner in Birmingham, victory in Lahore: Raza’s unmatched journey

Just hours after Zimbabwe succumbed to an innings defeat in Nottingham, Sikandar Raza was being hoisted onto the shoulders of his teammates in Lahore, having scripted one of the most stirring finishes in Pakistan Super League history.

In a journey that defies belief, Raza---still wearing the fatigue of Test cricket ---touched down in Lahore a mere ten minutes before the toss.

By nightfall, he had sealed a dramatic PSL title for Lahore Qalandars with a boundary that will live long in the memory of fans, teammates, and perhaps most of all, himself.

"Had dinner in Birmingham, breakfast in Dubai, drove to Abu Dhabi for lunch, took a flight and had dinner in Pakistan," Raza said with a smile that belied the chaos behind his calm match-winning 22 not out. "I guess this is the life of a professional cricketer. I'm truly humbled and blessed to have it."

It was more than just runs on a scoreboard. It was heart, grit, and a beautiful collision of passion and purpose.

Only the day before, Raza had fought valiantly for Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge, top-scoring in the second innings before England completed a crushing win. As the dust settled, Raza boarded a plane bound for Pakistan. Lahore's management had taken a gamble, preparing two team sheets — one with Raza, one without. The bet paid off.

When he finally walked into the dressing room, still jet-lagged and stiff from travel, his name was already on the team sheet. Lahore had backed him, and now it was time to return the favour.

Set a target of 202, Lahore's chase ebbed and flowed. Kusal Perera's sublime 62 off 31 balls kept them alive. Mohammad Naeem's explosive 46 and Abdullah Shafique's solid 41 gave the Qalandars a fighting chance. But it came down to the final over: 13 needed, one title on the line.

Raza, cool as ever, lifted a massive six over long-on before slicing a four through backward point to seal the win with one ball remaining. The crowd erupted, the dugout emptied, and a tired but triumphant Raza stood with his arms raised — a picture of resilience, relief, and raw emotion.

Hasan Nawaz had earlier powered Quetta Gladiators to 201-9 with a scintillating 76, but even that brilliance faded in the face of Lahore's chase and Raza's fairytale finish.

This marked Lahore Qalandars' third PSL title in as many years. But this one — interrupted by conflict, patched together with contingency, and crowned by a man who crossed continents to be there — felt different. It felt destined.