DUBAI: The much-awaited third edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) kicked off with a glittering opening ceremony at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in UAE on Thursday.

Hosted by film star Hareem Farooq and Bilal Ashraf, Pakistani heart-throb Ali Zarfar performed on a song of his upcoming Pakistani film Teefa.

Abida Parveen, the undisputed legend of Sufi Music, gave a soulful performance at the opening Ceremony. Singer and philanthropist Shehzad Roy also reignited the passion of thousands of people gathered at the venue.

The biggest performance of the evening, however, came from US pop star Jason Derulo who sung some of his hit numbers.

Ali Zafar concluded the glitzing show by singing the official anthem of the PSL before the colorful fireworks lit up the sky at Dubai Cricket Stadium.

In his opening address, PCB Chairman Najam Sethi said that the final of the third edition of PSL would take place in Karachi as per schedule.

He also welcomed the new entrant Multan Sultans into the league.

“PSL belongs to every citizen, political party, group and region. We have to desist from mixing politics in sports,” he said, urging the nation to protect this asset.

“Time is not far when the entire PSL will be played in the stadiums of Multan, Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad and Peshawar,” he said.

Published in Dawn, February 23rd, 2018