Pakistan and India are both considered powerhouses of cricket. Their influence and the fanbases hold the cricketing world astute. Their international impact on the game is known worldwide, but the domestic leagues are second to none. Both IPL and PSL have had their share of formidable matchups and finals. Whether it is a mammoth chase or a low-scoring fiesta, they have managed to always deliver the goods. Let’s take you to the greatest IPL/PSL finals of all time.
Best Indian Premier League (IPL) Finals in History
IPL has produced its fair share of blockbuster finals for the fans. There have been many close encounters in the finals making them historical. IPL Batting Stats and IPL Bowling Stats can let you know how competitive this league has become. Here we delve into the top 5 greatest IPL finals that have ever been played.
1. IPL 2019 Final – Mumbai Indians vs. Chennai Super Kings
Date & Venue:
May 12, 2019
Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad.
Match Summary:
Mumbai Indians put up a total of 149/8 in their 20 overs. The match was a real thriller and attracted fans across the globe. Kieron Pollard was the star for Mumbai Indians, scoring an unbeaten 41 runs off 25 balls. Deepak Chahar and Imran Tahir were the bowlers picked for CSK.
CSK placed 148 runs for the loss of 7 wickets and lost by one run. Shane Watson’s 80 runs off 59 balls after a knee injury was not enough to take CSK home. It was a nail-biting finish for Mumbai Indians thanks to Lasith Malinga’s heroics in the final over.
Key Performances:
- MI: Kieron Pollard 41* (25), Jasprit Bumrah 2/14.
- CSK: Shane Watson 80 (59), Deepak Chahar 3/26.
2. IPL 2008 Final – Rajasthan Royals vs. Chennai Super Kings
Date & Venue:
June 1, 2008
DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai.
Match Summary:
In an electrifying encounter at the 2008 IPL finals, the dark horses Rajasthan Royals (RR) won against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). CSK batted first and set a target of 163 runs for RR, scoring 163/5. Suresh Raina contributed 43 runs, while Yusuf Pathan was the main highlight, picking 3 for 22. Pathan then led the RR chase along with a game of 56 runs from 39 deliveries.
Nervous moments came when wickets kept falling for RR. It ended at last with Sohail Tanvir scoring a run off the last ball. They won the match by three wickets. This was the first time that RR had clinched an IPL title.
Key Performances:
- RR: Yusuf Pathan 56 (39) & 3/22.
- CSK: Suresh Raina 43 (30), Albie Morkel 2/28.
3. IPL 2016 Final – Sunrisers Hyderabad vs. Royal Challengers Bangalore
Date & Venue:
May 29, 2016
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.
Match Summary:
Sunrisers Hyderabad scored a mammoth 208 runs for the loss of 7 wickets. It was thanks mainly to David Warner’s 69 off 38 and Ben Cutting’s fireworks. Royal Challengers Bangalore had retaliated with Chris Gayle smashing 76 off 38 balls. Virat Kohli added another 54 to put them in a commanding position. Despite a good start, SRH came back into the game with some tight bowling and sharp fielding. RCB could only manage to get 200 for the loss of 7 wickets.
SRH came out with a victory by eight runs and their first title in the IPL. Ben Cutting was declared Man of the Match for his all-around display (39 not out and two wickets). Warner’s captaincy played a huge role in the thrilling final.
Key Performances:
- SRH: David Warner 69 (38), Ben Cutting 39* (15) & 2/35.
- RCB: Chris Gayle 76 (38), Virat Kohli 54 (35).
4. IPL 2023 Final – Chennai Super Kings vs. Gujarat Titans
Date & Venue: May 28-29, 2023, at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
Match Summary:
Gujarat Titans (GT) managed 214 for four wickets, which came chiefly from the mighty effort of Sai Sudharsan, who scored 96 off 47 deliveries. There, with rain falling, CSK had to chase 171 in 15 overs instead of its original target. The performance of Conway, Dube, and Rayudu ensured that CSK kept up to par.
It was a nail-biting finish, as 10 runs were needed off two balls. Ravindra Jadeja sealed the victory by hitting a six followed by a four off the final two balls. CSK won on five wickets (DLS method) with a last-ball thriller for their fifth title at the IPL tournament.
Key Performances:
- GT: Sai Sudharsan 96 (47), Wriddhiman Saha 54 (39).
- CSK: Devon Conway 47 (25), Ravindra Jadeja 15* (6).
5. IPL 2012 Final – Chennai Super Kings vs. Kolkata Knight Riders
Date & Venue: May 27, 2012, at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.
Match Summary:
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) scored a total of 190 for three due to Suresh Raina’s blistering innings of 73 off 38 balls. CSK was itching itself to yet another title for the defending champions. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) had entirely different plans.
The team has already lost its captain, Gautam Gambhir. Manvinder Bisla’s 89 off just 48 deliveries and Jacques Kallis’ 69 changed everything. In 19.4 overs, KKR reached 192 runs for five wickets to chase the target. They ended up winning their first title by five wickets in an unforgettable, breathtaking run chase.
Key Performances:
- CSK: Suresh Raina 73 (38), Michael Hussey 54 (43).
- KKR: Manvinder Bisla 89 (48), Jacques Kallis 69 (49).
Best Pakistan Super League (PSL) Finals in History
The Pakistan Super League, although not as famous as the IPL, brings about a fine level of cricket. It has managed to keep fans excited and entertained throughout its history. Let’s take a list of the major finals in the league.
1. PSL 2023 Final: Lahore Qalandars vs Multan Sultans – Last-Ball Madness
Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Result: Lahore Qalandars won by one run
No doubt it was the greatest PSL final ever. Lahore Qalandars opened their batting, scoring a total of 200 for 6. 65 by Abdullah Shafique. An explosive 44 off just 15 deliveries from Shaheen Afridi got the defending champions off strong. Multan’s chase was exciting. Rilee Rossouw (52) was almost pulling it off with Khushdil Shah. In the last over, they needed 13 but were able to stick it down to 4, which needed another delivery. Zaman Khan had other ideas, as only two runs were scored from the final ball. Lahore clinched a majestic finish, which sealed by just a run the title defence.
2. PSL 2019 Final: Quetta Gladiators vs Peshawar Zalmi – Gladiators’ Glory
Venue: National Stadium, Karachi
Result: Quetta Gladiators won by eight wickets
Quetta Gladiators unsuccessful in 2016 and 2017 finally seized in 2019-and in style. Bowling first, the disciplined Quetta attack restricted Peshawar Zalmi’s batsmen to 138 runs. 3 for 30 by Mohammad Hasnain was exemplary on the big stage.
Chasing the easy target, Ahmed Shehzad anchored the innings with a fluent 58 off 51*. With the help of Rilee Rossouw, Quetta chased it down in 17.5 overs, igniting emotional celebrations. It wasn’t the nail-biting final of all time, but it was redemption time for Quetta. This turned out to be one of the most fabulous victories in PSL history.
3. PSL 2020 Final: Karachi Kings vs Lahore Qalandars – Babar’s Brilliance in a Derby Final
Venue: National Stadium, Karachi
Result: Karachi Kings won by five wickets
The PSL 2020 final was an exciting arch-rivalry clash between Karachi Kings and Lahore Qalandars. Lahore’s batting was not able to pick any pace to get to 134/7 in 20 overs. Karachi bowlers, Waqas Maqsood and Umaid Asif, ensured very tight control.
In this case, however, it was all for Babar Azam, scoring an outstanding 63 from 49. Anchored by his innings, Karachi captured that first-ever PSL title in 18.4 overs. The combination of a Karachi-Lahore final and Babar’s brilliance made this memorable.
4. PSL 2022 Final: Lahore Qalandars vs Multan Sultans – The Underdogs Roar
Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Result: Lahore Qalandars won by 42 runs
The year 2022 was a turnaround for Lahore Qalandars after a series of inconsistent seasons. They met the defending champions, Multan Sultans, as underdogs yet again. This time, they made sure to rise to the occasion. Batting first, the team hammered 180 runs for five wickets in 20 overs. It was all thanks to a brilliant innings of 69 off just 40 balls by Mohammad Hafeez. It was later supported by the whirlwind finish provided by Harry Brook and David Wiese in the death overs.
Multan never got into their groove. Hafeez played a crucial role with the ball as well (2-23), and Shaheen’s men bowled Multan out for 138, handing Lahore a comfortable 42-run win. From rock bottom to champions — that was the story of Lahore, which stole everyone’s heart.
5. PSL 2017 Final: Peshawar Zalmi vs Quetta Gladiators – Cricket Returns to Pakistan
Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Result: Peshawar Zalmi won by 58 runs
The 2017 PSL Final became more than just a game. It was about bringing cricket back home. After hosting matches in the UAE for all these years, the first major final in Lahore was a significant landmark. Darren Sammy’s Peshawar Zalmi set 148-6 in the first innings, with Kamran Akmal 40 and Sammy an unbeaten 28.
With most of their top foreign players not available due to security fears, the Quetta team faltered under pressure. Whereas the Peshawar bowlers, particularly Mohammad Asghar and Wahab Riaz, knocked the team down for 90. Peshawar picked up their first title. It was a giant leap for Pakistan cricket.
Faqs for Greatest IPL/PSL Finals of All Time
Which IPL final is considered the greatest?
The IPL 2019 Final between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings is often regarded as the greatest, with MI winning by just 1 run in a thrilling finish.
Which PSL final is the most memorable?
The PSL 2023 Final where Lahore Qalandars defeated Multan Sultans by 1 run is deemed the most memorable due to its nail-biting nature.
What are some thrilling IPL finals?
IPL records speak volumes of competition in the cricket. Here are some thrilling encounters in IPL finals.
IPL 2019: MI vs. CSK – MI won by 1 run.
IPL 2008: RR vs. CSK – RR won on the last ball.
IPL 2016: SRH vs. RCB – SRH won by 8 runs.
IPL 2023: CSK vs. GT – CSK won on the last ball (DLS method).
IPL 2012: CSK vs. KKR – KKR chased 191 to win.
What are some memorable PSL finals?
PSL 2023: Lahore Qalandars vs. Multan Sultans – Lahore won by 1 run.
PSL 2019: Quetta Gladiators vs. Peshawar Zalmi – Quetta won by 8 wickets.
PSL 2020: Karachi Kings vs. Lahore Qalandars – Karachi won by 5 wickets.
PSL 2022: Lahore Qalandars vs. Multan Sultans – Lahore won by 42 runs.
PSL 2017: Peshawar Zalmi vs. Quetta Gladiators – Peshawar won by 58 runs.
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