PSL Final 2024: When the Real Hero Stayed Quiet, the Marketing Hero Took the Spotlight — Where’s the Credit for Kusal Perera?
Lahore Qalandars clinched another PSL title in a thrilling final — a match full of drama, nerves, and heroic moments. But as is often the case, when the team wins, every flavor sells, and those with better marketing steal the limelight, even if they weren’t the ones who truly turned the game.
This time, it was Sikandar Raza who grabbed all the attention. And yes, he did hit the winning shot. Yes, he flew in from England just for the match. Yes, the Qalandars lifted him on their shoulders. But in all the noise — where was the mention of Kusal Perera?
Let’s set the record straight.
The Unsung Match-Winner
When Lahore still needed 47 runs off the last 3 overs — a situation few teams recover from — it was Kusal Perera who took charge. He hammered 16 runs off Khurram Shahzad’s over, then 18 off Mohammad Amir, effectively breaking the back of Quetta’s bowling attack.
His unbeaten 62 off 31 balls wasn’t just an innings — it was a rescue mission. He soaked up the pressure, calculated the chase, and executed it with precision.
Raza simply had to wrap it up. And he did. But it was Perera who built the foundation and brought the impossible within reach.
Marketing Wins, But Truth Matters
Raza is undoubtedly a charismatic player, and his finishing abilities deserve applause. But when the focus of every headline, every social media post, and even post-match celebrations shifts away from the real game-changer, it raises a serious question:
Do we celebrate performance or popularity?
Kusal Perera didn’t just bat — he won the match under extreme pressure. But because he didn’t play to the crowd, because he wasn’t the final man standing, he was quietly sidelined.
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MediaBites Perspective
This final was more than just a cricket match — it was a reminder of how media narratives are shaped. When the true hero doesn’t speak up or market himself, others with the spotlight walk away with the applause.
So let’s set the record straight:
Kusal Perera deserves full credit for scripting this victory.
His composure, power-hitting, and presence under pressure were nothing short of brilliant.
He was the true “Player of the Match” — even if the world chose to overlook him.
Thank you, Kusal Perera, for showing us what a real match-winning innings looks like.
