Pakistan Super League (PSL) second season started on Thursday in Dubai with a star studded opening ceremony featuring Jamaican reggae fusion singer Shaggy, Pakistan’s Ali Zafar and Shehzad Roy.
The ceremony hosted by Fahad Mustafa started with the national anthems of Pakistan and the UAE. Organizers billed it to be an entertaining event, with celebrity appearances and a fireworks display.
The stadium floodlights were switched off, while LED lights of different hues were used for a lights display in addition to live performance by musicians. Drummers suspended from the top wearing fancy clothes put on quite a show.
Celebrity and TV show host Fahad Mustafa was host of the opening ceremony.
Songs in the four provincial languages were played, as dancers in traditional wear took center stage.
Renowned artists and singers enthralled the audience with their performance.
Drummers performed a flying act at the stadium before the Jamaican singing sensation Shaggy who sang his popular songs including ‘Mr Boombastic’ and ‘Wasn’t Me’.
Singers Shehzad Roy and Ali Zafar entertained the crowd after the Shaggy.
Addressing the ceremony, Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board Shaharyar Khan said that holding of PSL final in Lahore will give a message to the world that Pakistan provides normal and conducive environment for sports. He said we have tried very hard to make this event successful.
Speaking on the occasion, Pakistan Super League Chairman Najam Sethi said final match of PSL will be played in Lahore.
He said holding of Pakistan Super League will prove to be a milestone in the revival of international cricket in Pakistan.
Islamabad United will defend its crown as PSL champions. They will take on Peshawar Zalmi in the inaugural game of the competition today.
Each of the five teams will play eight games against each other in the round robin stage and the top four sides will qualify for the playoffs.
The first playoff will be contested between the first and second placed sides in the round-robin stage. The third and the fourth ranked side will face each other in the second playoff game before the losing team from the first playoff faces the victorious side from the second playoff.
The final will be played between the winner of the first playoff and the third playoff at Lahore.
