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The match between Lahore Qalandars and Peshawar Zalmi will determine the fourth team in the PSL 2025 playoffs.
A win against Peshawar Zalmi on May 17 allowed the Karachi Kings (13 points from nine games) to become the second team, after the Quetta Gladiators (12 points from nine), to guarantee a playoffs berth in the 2025 PSL. QG have even ensured a top-two finish, which will allow them the cushion of playing in Qualifier 1.
The outcome of the match also pushed Islamabad United (10 points from nine games) to the playoffs. Since Lahore Qalandars play Peshawar Zalmi, at most one of them can catch up with (or overtake) IU on points.
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IU may still make it to Qualifier 1 if they beat KK in the last league match by a substantial margin. Otherwise, QG will face KK in Qualifier 1. The fourth spot is, however, still up for the grabs. The all-important night match of May 18, between LQ and PZ, will determine that.
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PSL 2025 points table after May 17
| Teams | Matches | Won | Lost | Tied | No Result | Points | Net Run Rate |
| Quetta Gladiators | 9 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 13 | +1.530 |
| Karachi Kings | 9 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 12 | +0.514 |
| Islamabad United | 9 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 10 | -0.044 |
| Lahore Qalandars | 9 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 9 | +0.958 |
| Peshawar Zalmi | 9 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 8 | -0.176 |
| Multan Sultans | 9 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -2.708 |
What do Lahore and Peshawar need to qualify?
This will be a virtual knockout match. Exactly one of these two teams will make it to the playoffs. If IU lose their last game, PZ or LQ may even finish third – but that is about it. They will have to play in the Eliminator 1.
LQ’s recent jitters have made things worse for them, but a win will be enough for them to go through. Even a “no result” – for rain or any other reason – will guarantee them a spot.
What about PZ? Nothing less than a win will see them through. Of course, they have history on their side: PZ are the only team to have made it to the playoffs in every single season of the PSL.
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