The name of Hyderabad’s team for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) was announced past Saturday midnight at a colourful ceremony organized at Niaz Cricket Stadium.
The team’s owner Fawad Sarwar, who bought the team for Rs1.75 billion, announced the name.” Hyderabad! the name of your team is Hyderabad Kingsmen,” Sarwar announced, as the crowd burst into cheers coupled with raucous music as fireworks immediately followed, turning the night sky colourful.
He vowed to take the team to success in the PSL matches by bringing the best of the players in the team and while ensuring efficient team management. Sarwar told that some of the members of the team’s management had come from the US. “People of Hyderabad, they love you and this is our love for cricket,” he underscored. He recalled that he was born and raised in Hyderabad.” My parents always taught me to work hard and honestly, remember Almighty and to keep going,” he said, adding that following these instructions in his life brought him to the stage where he finds himself to be a successful businessman and a sports enthusiast. He said it was unbelievable for them to find such popularity and love from the people. “I picked the team out of my personal interest but now I promise you that we won’t disappoint you,” Sarwar assured. Speaking earlier, Mayor Kashif Ali Shoro welcomed Sarwar on his arrival to Hyderabad by hosting his visit first to their house, where provincial minister and mayor’s elder brother Jam Khan Shoro was also present, and by later accompanying him to the stadium.” Today is a memorable day in the history of Hyderabad as a new history is being written,” Shoro said while addressing the people in the stadium.
He told Sarwar that his role in making the team a part of the PSL and trusting the city was a big honour for Hyderabad and its people. “You haven’t just fulfilled your obligation of being a son of Hyderabad but you have also provided an opportunity to the city’s youth,” he observed. He vowed to turn the forsaken grounds and stadiums of Hyderabad in the places of healthy sports activities and enjoyment for the spectators. The Mayor also vowed to host the PSL matches in Hyderabad, expressing hope that the sports activities would also contribute to the city’s economic growth. Shoro recalled that Hyderabad’s Niaz Cricket Stadium had always proved to be a lucky ground for Pakistan’s cricket team whose bowler Jalaluddin made his one-day cricket hatrick in 1982 and where Javed Miandad scored his highest 280 runs. He also assured that the city’s people would always support Hyderabad Kingsmen whether they win or lose the matches. The Mayor also expressed gratitude to Pakistan Peoples Party’s Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah for supporting him in his efforts for rehabilitation of the stadium. He recalled that the sole purpose of restoring the stadium was to bring back the national and international matches back to the city. Thousands of people flocked to the stadium to attend the vibrant event where they were enthralled by music, lighting and fireworks as well.