DUBAI: The Pakistan Super League (PSL) festival of cricket commenced here on Thursday evening in a glittering musical opening ceremony.

Thirty-four high drama matches will be played in the HBL PSL — eight in Pakistan including the March 17 final — with Islamabad United as defending champions of the six-team competition. The other five teams are Peshawar Zalmi, Quetta Gladiators, Karachi Kings, Multan Sultans and Lahore Qalandars.

The Dubai stadium was adorned with huge banners of all six franchises with an iconic stage the focus of a capacity crowd as the ceremony opened with the national anthem of Pakistan.

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ehsan Mani welcomed the teams, fans, viewers and all those who are involved in the staging of the yearly carnival of cricket. “It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to the opening ceremony of the HBL Pakistan Super League,” said Mani. “I wish the teams the best of luck as they start their journey towards winning the title.”

Former captain Ramiz Raja, the voice of Pakistan cricket, acted as the host of the function as he called upon the fans at the stadium and around the world to be ready for the start of the HBL PSL.

Mani’s speech was followed by the marching of the famous band that played Europe’s The Final Countdown — famous track of the 1992 World Cup that Pakistan won under the inspirational leadership of the incumbent Prime Minister Imran Khan.

The opening ceremony was a landmark affair. The world famous Boney M — the Euro-Caribbean vocal group created by German record producer Frank Farian — came on the stage with their famous chart buster of all time Daddy Cool, as the crowd danced to the tune.

Aima Beg’s and Shuja Haider’s performance was followed by the ever-green and re-united Junoon Group, with their famous numbers including Jazba Junoon.

Gigantic banners of six competing franchises were brought to light in the stadium as the handsome Fawad Khan performed on the PSL 4 official song Yeh Khel Deewano Ka, to loud cheers of the crowd. All six teams, their owners and support staff marched past to the ground with their flags.

UAE’s Sheikh Nahyan welcomed the teams and the players. “The cricket loving population welcome you all,” said the UAE minister. “It’s Twenty20 cricket at its best. The fans will be cheering for all the six teams who feature leading players from around the world. We in the UAE are delighted to welcome Pakistan cricket,” he concluded.

Published in Dawn, February 15th, 2019