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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
