LAHORE: The third edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) commenced with a dazzling and colourful ceremony at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in the United Arab Emirates on Thursday evening. Following a countdown to the big launch, the event officially began with the national anthem of Pakistan. Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja, who is also PSL ambassador, read the pledge ‘to play clean and fair’, which was signed by the captains of six franchises. Master presenter Ramiz also introduced the league’s expansion franchise: the Multan Sultans. The Sultans were followed by Islamabad United and the Karachi Kings. The Lahore Qalandars and reigning champions Peshawar Zalmi didn’t take long in joining their rivals in the middle. The tradition in sports is for the champions to be introduced last but the organisers, for some reason, reserved that honour for the two-time finalists: the Quetta Gladiators. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Najam Sethi opened the PSL, describing the glitzy Twenty20 event as key to paving the way for his country’s return to hosting international series. “A sixth member of the PSL family has joined us this year. Last year, 24 matches happened, this year there will be 34. The PSL is a national asset and we need to safeguard it.”
Pakistan has staged its international fixtures in the United Arab Emirates in recent years as it grapples with militant violence. But a dramatic improvement in security saw officials stage the PSL final in Lahore last year, its biggest match in nearly a decade, a move which boosted hopes the cricket-obsessed country could become an international venue once more. This year two of the three play-offs are planned for Lahore, with the final due at the National Stadium in Karachi on March 25. On a trial will be Karachi, the sprawling, chaotic port megacity set to host the final. With normality returning after decades of ethnic violence, Karachi is rolling out head-of-state level security to stage its first high profile match in nine years. The last international fixture played at the National Stadium was between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in February 2009, just one week before a fateful match in Lahore, where militants attacked the Sri Lankan team bus.
Sethi said he hoped that in 2019 the entire tournament would be played at home. “That will pave the way for a full series in Pakistan by a top team,” Sethi added. “We are very satisfied that PSL has become an international brand in two years.” Sponsors Habib Bank Limited chief operating officer Sagheer Mufti said: “We are honoured to work with the PCB and help with a platform that could launch the careers of many young cricketers.”
To make sure the opening ceremony is as spectacular as the tournament itself, the PCB had invited a glut of Pakistani and international superstars to perform at the event. The ceremony was hosted by Pakistan TV stars Hareem Farooq and Bilal Ashraf. The majestic opening ceremony featured performances from Pakistan pop singers Ali Zafar and Shahzad Roy. The other star was performer of the night was the legendary Sufi singer Abida Parween. USA pop star Jason Derulo, who drew loud cheers from the crowd, started off with a lesser known number before tearing into his famous track: Swalla, which has over a billion views on YouTube.
Launched in 2016 after years of deliberation, the PSL is an annual T20 League which sees six city-based franchises fight amongst each other for the title. While there exists several such leagues in the world of cricket, the PSL is arguably unique in the sense that none of its rivals mean as much to their respective countries as the PSL does to Pakistan. This is due to the PCB’s almost decade-long inability to hold a home series at home – a predicament that the PSL seems to be helping remedy bit by bit each year. The PSL, now in its third edition, has also come up as result of that and has gained in success with each passing year. For that the credit needs to be given to those at the PCB for their consistency and determination that they have shown to continue with it despite the hiccups that came their way. Sethi, having weathered the storm and criticism of every kind, has shown resilience to get the show going for the betterment of the game in a country which for security reasons has been in isolation since the last nine years following a ghastly terrorist attack on the visiting Sri Lankans. Credit needs to be given where it is due and Pakistan, in face of adversity, has given its population something to cheer about through the PSL.
Published in Daily Times, February 23rd 2018.