The ultimate valentine for Pakistani Fans, PSL Season 6 is around the corner; with the star-studded and action-packed event to start from 20 February 2021.
It has been already a success with producing so many youngsters and giving Pakistan a much-needed brand displaying the Positive Image of the nation.
With season 6 approaching, why not rewind the buzz and glories of Debut Season of Pakistan Super League.
Flashback of PSL1
#AbKhelKeDikha was the Punchline when PSL was introduced to the world’s cricket.
A unique sense of buzz and excitement was in the air all over Pakistan when it was announced by PCB Chairman Najam Sethi then, that the Long-Awaited Idea of the Cricket League of PSL is going to be fulfilled in Feb 2016.
Its basic purpose was to Give the much-needed platform for youngsters to show their abilities and boost confidence by playing alongside a string of international pros.
It’s time to be United!
The ultimate goal of PSL was to Bring Cricket Back Home which has been derived; since that Black Day of March 2009 when the SL team attacked by terrorists in Lahore.PSL seemed to be the best possible way to breaking the ice on that front.
The auction process for franchises successfully held; the most expensive buying the Karachi Kings.
The other brands proudly shared their part in owning their teams as well. Then came the Drafting of Players.
This idea was based on NBA and it added another flair to PSL as well with dynamism involved in it.
The superstars like Watson, Gayle, KP, Malinga, and many others had bought by big money balls from respective teams.
Dubai took the centre stage with hosting the inaugural season being the second home for Pakistan quite over 7 years.
The preparations then went underway in Pakistan and Dubai for making it a real success.
Franchises started promotion and launching ceremonies really put the gas into the cylinders.. about to explode in the coming months.
PSL’s official anthem become the national song then which was a real masterpiece by Ali Zafar the popular rockstar.
Teams also made their anthems which raised the passion among their fans.
A sense of ownership for regions and nationalism produced due to that promotion.
Ramiz Raja and Waseem Akram had signed up as Official Ambassadors of the League.
Then came the long-awaited day, the 4th of February,2016 when Sheikh Mubarak Al Naiyhhaan inaugurated that brand of Pakistan in the star-studded opening ceremony.
That proud feeling of having Brand was feeling was second to none.
Ali Zafar, Sean Paul took the limelight for their blockbuster performances. Then came the Mighty Gayle’s Gangnam Style which was the peak point of the ceremony.
Sanam Saeed and Mohib Mirza performed the musical trailer of their upcoming film as well.
Opening Ceremony
After the colorful ceremony the Opening encounter between Islamabad United and Quetta Gladiators.
Islamabad United set off to a comfortable start in a one-sided low scoring encounter against Sarfaraz’Gladiators.
The event took the pace slowly but gradually and when the team’s chemistry matched, also some nail-biting finishes like the memorable encounter between Quetta Gladiators and Lahore Qalandars(Match 18);
When Qalandars, beaten by final over strokes from Mohammad Nabi facing the Left arm Zohaib Khan chasing 202, making it the highest total record by a team.
Umer Akmal, Shahid Afridi, Watson were the main performers during the Round Robin Stage;
But Amir grabbed all the headlines for picking an astonishing hat trick vs their Arch Rivals Lahore Qalandars.
The writer is Freelancer, associated with Medical Profession ,working towards PhD in Healthcare Management.