Gulf Today Report
The glittering opening ceremony of the much-anticipated Pakistan Super League (PSL) season nine (PSL-9) took place at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Saturday night, marking the beginning of an exciting cricket season, local media reported.
Cricket enthusiasts in Lahore and all around the world saw spectacular performances by different artists and one of the major attractions was the performances of the Pakistani singers, Ali Zafar and Aima Baig, of the PSL 9 anthem.
Zafar treated the audience to a captivating medley featuring his past PSL anthems, adding an extra layer of excitement to the spectacle.
The celebration also featured a captivating laser show, enhancing the overall entertainment for the audience.
Ali Zafar and Aima Baig perform during the opening ceremony of the PSL 9 in Lahore. AFP
Arif Lohar and Noori, accompanied by their respective musical groups, also brought vibrant energy to the stage. The festivities commenced with Natasha Baig's rendition of the national anthem of Pakistan, setting a patriotic tone for the evening.
Gates had opened for spectators at 3:30pm, with the ceremony kicking off at 6:30 pm.
The PSL 9 matches will be held in four cities — Karachi, Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi — with the final of the event, taking place at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi on March 18.
Like the previous edition, the PSL 9 will take place in two legs with Multan Cricket Stadium and Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium hosting 14 matches between them from Feb.17 to 27.
Teams like Kings, Qalandars, Sultans, and United will play five matches at their respective home grounds, while Peshawar Zalmi will play four matches at Pindi Cricket Stadium.
Quetta Gladiators, on the other hand, will play three matches each in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi, with one match at Multan Cricket Stadium against the home side Sultans on Feb.25, the News International reported.