PSL X kicks off with dazzling opening ceremony in Rawalpindi

LAHORE: A mesmerising musical show and a colourful display of fireworks during the impressive ceremony marked the start of the 10th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday.

The night promised a blend of music, fireworks, and cricketing excitement as PSL kicked off its landmark season in style. This is the first time that Rawalpindi will host the inaugural game of the league.

Among the star-studded lineup of performers were the legendary Abida Parveen, pop sensation Ali Zafar, Natasha Baig, and the chart-topping rap duo Young Stunners — all of whom set the stage ablaze with their electrifying acts at the opening ceremony.

Following the ceremony, defending champions Islamabad United took on two-time winners of the trophy, Lahore Qalandars, in the opening match of the tournament.

The 34-match tournament comprises three double headers scheduled on April 12, May 1 and May 10, while the remaining fixtures will take place across Karachi, Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi.

The six teams will lock horns to take away the $500,000 prize money set for the winners, while the runners-up will be awarded $200,000. The PSL X Draft, which took place on January 13, gave the six franchises an opportunity to refurbish their squads ahead of the historic tenth edition.

The newly renovated Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore is set to play host to 13 PSL X matches, including the Qualifier, Eliminator and the May 18 final. The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium will host 11 matches, while Multan Cricket Stadium and National Bank Stadium will witness five PSL X matches each this season.

Babar Azam, the leading run-scorer in HBL PSL with 3,504 runs to his name, will be leading the HBL PSL 2017 winners Peshawar Zalmi. Australia’s David Warner becomes the fourth overseas player to lead the 2020 champions Karachi Kings after Ravi Bopara, Kumar Sangakkara and Eoin Morgan.

Mohammad Rizwan, who led Multan Sultans to glory in the 2021 edition in Abu Dhabi, will continue to reign as the Sultans’ skipper, having done so 48 times in the previous four HBL PSL editions. Quetta’s Saud Shakeel will take the leadership duties of the Gladiators from Rilee Rossouw.

Shadab Khan, who has led Islamabad United in 55 HBL PSL matches so far, has been entrusted leadership duties for HBL PSL X as well, while Shaheen Shah Afridi, the only captain to have won consecutive HBL PSL titles, will be in charge of the Lahore Qalandars.

In HBL PSL 2024, Islamabad United emerged winners, bagging the title for the third time, while Multan Sultans ended up as runners-up for the third consecutive time.

'Foolproof security'

Meanwhile, the Rawalpindi police have made foolproof security arrangements for the PSL 2025.

According to a spokesperson, the security arrangements were made in coordination with the Pakistan Army, Rangers and other security agencies.

“Over 5,000 police personnel along with more than 367 traffic police personnel will perform security duties,” the spokesman said.

Regional Police Officer Babar Sarfraz Alpa and City Police Officer Syed Khalid Hamdani, along with other high officers, were in the field to supervise the arrangements, he added.

Special police teams, including Dolphin Force and Elite Force personnel, were deployed around the stadium and its surroundings, the spokesman said.

A special control room, he added, had been set up to monitor the stadium and its surroundings and the entire city through Safe City and other CCTV cameras.

He said expert snipers were deployed on the rooftops around the stadium and the route of the teams.

The spokesman further said that the visitors were allowed to enter the stadium through a walk-through gate and full body search.