KARACHI: The star-studded closing ceremony of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2018 ahead of the final was held at the National Stadium here on Sunday. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Najam Sethi welcomed the spectators at the ceremony and expressed his gratitude to the security forces for providing top-notch security for the event. The PCB Chairman requested fans to show the same passion in the series against West Indies, to be played a week later at the same ground. “The tournament wouldn’t have been possible without the government’s support. I thank all of you for supporting Pakistan cricket,” he said. Congratulating Karachiites on the return of international-level cricket to their city after nine years, Sethi said the holding of the matches in the country was testament to the fact that “we are ready for the return of international cricket”. Sethi said the tournament did not belong to any political party, leader or state institution, but to the people of Pakistan. Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, all four provincial governors, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Sindh Home Minister Sohail Anwar Siyal, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto, his two sisters Bakhtawar and Aseefa also witnessed the final on Sunday evening.
The stars headlining the ceremony included musicians Ali Zafar, Shehzad Roy, Strings band, Farhan Saeed and Aima Baig. Audiences could be seen thoroughly enjoying the performances. Thousands of spectators arrived at National Stadium Karachi on a hot Sunday afternoon to witness the first major cricketing event in the port city in the last nine years. Nearly 32,000 witnessed the showdown between Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United as they competed for the Pakistan Super League 2018 title. After Aima Baig enthralled the crowd with her hit Coke Studio number Baazi, it was Farhan Saeed and Shehzad Roy who entertained the crowd with their performances. Later, pop band Strings were joined by the Zalmi’s Hasan Ali and Darren Sammy on-stage for their hit anthem from 2003, ‘Hai koi ham jaisa’.
Hundreds of shuttles had been arranged to transport fans from five designated parking points to the stadium. Spectators – many of whom were donning Zalmi and United merchandise, but also the national colours – were allowed to enter the venue only after multiple security checks. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah himself inspected the arrangements and facilities for the match from a helicopter. He directed the organisers to ensure that there was no lapse in facilitating the visitors.
Published in Daily Times, March 26th 2018.