Glorious PSL 2018 opening ceremony at Dubai International Cricket Stadium offered a perfect start for the T20 league of Pakistan. The star-studded ceremony featured the music performances by legendary singers, stunts by dance groups and an exhibition of the fireworks that made the stadium a treat for the eyes.
Fire works?❤#PSL3 #OpeningCeremony pic.twitter.com/IEzy1ftzuo
— Lahore Qalandars (@LahoreQalanderr) February 22, 2018
A specular, mesmerising, ans unforgettable end of the opening ceremony ?#HBLPSL #DilSeJaanLagaDe pic.twitter.com/QltK58h1jP
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 22, 2018
Here is a brief account of what happened at entertaining PSL 2018 opening ceremony.
PSL 2018 Opening Ceremony
Third edition of Pakistan Super League opened with the national anthem, and then followed a fabulous performance by Ali Zafar on his Coke Studio hit Rockstar. The singer also took the opportunity to promote his rom-com Teefa in Trouble.
The flying man @AliZafarsays . Did you like his high flying performance?#HBLPSL #DilSeJaanLagaDe pic.twitter.com/bPK9yHKywn
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 22, 2018
Showbiz stars Hareem Farooq and Bilal Ashraf hosted the show and began by inviting cricket commentator Rameez Raja who then introduced the teams and interviewed the captains. All the six teams along with management and owners entered the stadium with theme songs playing in the background.
Our hosts for the evening @FarooqHareem and @IamBilalAshraf ?#HBLPSL #DilSeJaanLagaDe pic.twitter.com/HeLvLDEc9y
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 22, 2018
Ground burns like a SWEET HELL.
Some marvelous performances from #AbidaParveen #AliZafar
Charming hosting by #HareemFarooq and #BilalAshraf
And a warm welcome speech by Mr. #NajamSethi #PSL2018 #HBLPSL3 #OpeningCeremony pic.twitter.com/SgW7YKHAOz— Attique Younis Awan (@angelman199) February 22, 2018
After teams’ introduction, chairman PSL Najam Sethi addressed the ceremony. He excitedly told about the success of tournament by informing that all the tickets have been sold, but stadium is not full yet as people are stuck in traffic. He also welcomed the new franchise Multan Sultans and expressed his desire for holding all the matches for future editions of PSL in Multan.
Kaptaans of @TeamQuetta @KarachiKingsARY @lahoreqalandars @PeshawarZalmi @IsbUnited and @MultanSultans with the Dazzle Trophy ?#HBLPSL #DilSeJaanLagaDe pic.twitter.com/JfpRPIX8G3
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 22, 2018
Abida Parveen’s Performance
Legendary sufi singer Abida Parveen’s performance on sufi songs, powered by whirling of dancers invoked a wave of enthusiasm among audience. She sang the famous qawalis, Dama Dam Mast Qalandar, Tery Ishq Nachaya and Kalam of Bulleh Shah, that seemed well synchronized with the spirit of events. Her mesmerizing and soul purifying performance beautifully complimented the zeal of this sporting event.
Highlights from the soulful performance of the Queen of Sufi Music Abida Parveen #HBLPSL #DilSeJaanLagaDe pic.twitter.com/0at3Fxv0j6
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 22, 2018
Then, came the turn of Shehzad Roy who owns a fair share in in songs on sports theme. Shehzad’s performance once again engaged the crowd in applause and roars of enjoyment.
Music Performance by Jason Derulu
American pop singer Jason Derulu set the stage on fire with his performance on Shimmy Shimmy Yay Shimmy Yay Shimmy Ya song. The hip-hop singer also addressed the audience by saying Asalam-o-Alaikum and received an overwhelming response from the audience for his friendly gesture.
International pop star @jasonderulo during his energetic performance at the opening ceremony of #HBLPSL 2018 #DilSeJaanLagade pic.twitter.com/5iRef6FGD0
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 22, 2018
Finally, the ceremony ended with Ali Zafar’s stunt powered performance on PSL theme song Dil Se Jaan Laga Dein Gy.
PSL 2018 opening ceremony was not only a musical night but an entertaining event that featured many acrobatic stunts and dance of the lights. Well lit, crowded and soaked in the spirit of sports, Dubai International Cricket Stadium proved to be a worth watching sight in the night of PSL 2018’s opening.
After the ceremony, tournament started with new entrants Multan Sultans winning the toss and inviting Peshawar Zalmi to bat first.