LAHORE: For what will be the first-ever trophy unveiling ceremony on the Pakistan soil, squash icon Jahangir Khan will bring the HBL Pakistan Super League 2020 trophy at the National Stadium in Karachi on Feb 19.

In an international-styled ceremony, Jahangir will carry the silverware to the field of play and hand it over to captain Sarfraz Ahmed of defending champions Quetta Gladiators after which the brand new trophy will be unveiled by PCB chairman Ehsan Mani in the presence of six franchise owners and captains.

Jahangir Khan said on Sunday: “It will be truly a remarkable moment for me to play a role in the unveiling of the HBL PSL 2020 trophy. I am looking forward to the ceremony.

“The PCB has done a wonderful job in the resumption of top-flight cricket in the country and the success of the HBL PSL 2020 is going to send a profound message to the world that Pakistan is safe. I hope that with the success of this event, international teams belonging to other sports will also travel to Pakistan and this will spark a sporting culture which we have been missing for the last many years.

“I wish the PCB all the best for what will be an exciting tournament. HBL PSL keeps every Pakistani glued to their TV sets and I will be following it keenly.

For his extraordinary achievements in squash courts all over the world, Jahangir’s name has become synonymous to the game. The great athlete holds a record for the longest winning streak for any sportsman with 555 consecutive wins over almost six years.

At the age of only 17, Jahangir, the six-time World Champion, became the youngest player to bag a British Open title.

PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan said: “It is befitting that a sporting great like Jahangir Khan will bring the trophy to the ceremony to mark the momentous occasion, which will see an entire HBL PSL season being held in Pakistan.

“I am thankful to Jahangir for becoming part of the ceremony and providing the PCB the opportunity to honour a legend like him.

“The HBL PSL is where it belongs and I can feel the excitement amongst the fans, who have turned this into the biggest brand in Pakistan and one of the most watched T20 leagues around the world.

The trophy unveiling ceremony will start around 3.30pm.

Published in Dawn, February 17th, 2020