The second season of Pakistan Super League, also known as PSL 2017, kicked off today at Dubai International Stadium.
The tournament features 5 Pakistani teams from 5 cities and it promises to keep cricket lovers from around the world glued to the edge of their seats for the next 2 weeks.
PSL 2017 Kicks Off With A Fantastic Opening Ceremony
The proceedings began with the national anthem of both UAE and Pakistan playing followed by a performance by Pakistani singers Shehzad Roy and Ali Zafar as well as the Jamaican singer Shaggy. Dil Dil Pakistan was also played, with many fondly remembering the recently departed Junaid Jamshed when the iconic song started playing.
LIVE FROM THE STADIUM! OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM! #PAKISTAN #HBLPSL pic.twitter.com/Mf6H2CargL
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 9, 2017
https://twitter.com/iSupportPSL/status/829764662761754625
The stadium’s floodlights were turned off with LED of different colors used for a lights display to match the musicians’ performances. Drummers suspended from the top also put up quite a show.
Flying Drummers in action pic.twitter.com/SVnJ1Kf7Gt
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 9, 2017
Songs in all 4 of the provincial languages were played and dancers wearing traditional garb took on stage to perform.
The winners of the previous seasons of PSL, Islamabad United made a grand entrance at the ceremony:
.@IsbUnited make a grand entry in traditional Pakistani attire & oh boy, do the Isloo boys look dapper or what! #AbkhelJamayGa #HBLPSL pic.twitter.com/V4bPn1kjT7
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 9, 2017
Each team participating in the league, Lahore Qalandars, Quetta Gladiators, Peshawar Zalmis, Karachi Kings walked out with their respective captains. The actor Fawad Khan was also seen in the crowd.
At the event UAE’s Minister of of culture, Sheikh Mubarak bin Zayed al Nahyan wished the best for the participating teams and added,
Pakistan Super League is a testimony of the strong bond between the countries.
PCB Chairman, Shehryar Khan thanked the president of UAE, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan for hosting this event. He mentioned that the finals will be in Lahore which is pretty significant on its own because it will show that Pakistan’s security situation is now better than before and has been “normalised”.
Chairman PSL, Najam Sethi promised to bring cricket back to Pakistan. He added:
The difference between the last edition and this edition is that now we have bigger stars. The pitches are designed in a way that there will be big runs. If someone in the crowd catches a sixer, they will win Rs1 crore.
The ceremony concluded with an impressive fireworks display.
https://twitter.com/Oye_Sheikh/status/829733722836570113?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Amazing opening ceremony , great for Pakistani cricket
HD mey dekhi 4K box pr ??
Dreambox k liye to PSL flop show tha pehle, isi liye kehte hain pehle dekho phir bolo
Those comments were for broadcasters not PSL itself
Chalen dair aye durust aye ?
Welcome to the party ?
Just hunted and tuned full HD feed of PSL and now enjoying PSL in full HD with amazing quality
Fahad Mustafa is a great entertainer. His inclusion as a host was an awesome decision. More power and success to PSL and Pakistan ..
This opening ceremony you will never seen at IPL & BPL.
Only PSL can share laughing, care, loving, humanity & unity in one place.
Geo PSL & Geo Pakistan !
Tum Se Na Koi tha Na Hai Or Inshah Allah Na Hoga !
I’m speechless, that was an awesome
Awesome lighting
Awesome fireworks
The Best opening ceremony
Hats off to the PSL Team for making it possible.
PAKISTAN ZINDABAD
The fireworks gave me goosebumps. Best part of the ceremony!
yar I missed it, can anybody share where can i watch it all in good quality ?