Pakistan Super League PSL starts today with a wonderful ceremony in Dubai.
Renowned Pakistani and international superstars including Ali Zafar, Sean Paul, Mohib Mirza and Sanam Saeed performed at the opening ceremony to kick off the much-awaited Pakistan Super League (PSL) Twenty20 cricket tournament here at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday night.Pakistani star Ali Zafar also shared his views about the tournament saying, “I am unable to express my happiness that the PSL is going to happen at last. I feel honoured to be part of the project and hope to see a great contest during the series since Shahid Afridi and Chris Gayle are here to entertain us with fours and sixes”.
As many as 146 students of Army Public School (APS) have departed for Dubai along with star player and Twenty20 captain Shahid Afridi to watch Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches.
According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement, the students left for Dubai from Bacha Khan Airport on a chartered plane of Shaheen Airlines due to ongoing protest of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) employees and will return country on February 8.
According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement, the students left for Dubai from Bacha Khan Airport on a chartered plane of Shaheen Airlines due to ongoing protest of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) employees and will return country on February 8.
England’s Twenty20 specialist Luke Wright scored a breezy unbeaten 86 to help his side Quetta Gladiators to record the first victory of the inaugural Pakistan Super League (PSL) against Islamabad United by 8 wickets here at the Dubai International Stadium in the early hours of Friday.
Chasing down a mediocre target of 129, Wright showed no respect to any of Islamabad’s bowlers hitting 4 sixes and 10 fours in his innings. Mohammad Nawaz, who took four wickets in restricting Islamabad to 128 for 7, also remained not out on run a ball 22.
Gladiators achieved their target with full four overs in hand.
Earlier, Islamabad United skipper Misbah-ul-Haq and Andre Russell tried to resurrect the disappointing innings after they were reduced to 63 for 6 in the 15th over.
Misbah however trapped by a slow bouncer by Anwar Ali in the penultimate over after scoring 41 in 28 balls. Russell remained not out on 35 off 20 balls.
Rookie bowler Nawaz took four wickets for only 13 runs in his quota of 4 overs. Anwar Ali, Zulfiqar Babar and Umar Gul shared a wicket each for the Gladiators.
Quetta Gladiator captain Sarfraz Ahmed had won the toss and invited Islamabad United skipper Misbah-ul-Haq to bat first earlier in the evening.
The two sides had a strong domestic contingent. As many as eight players from the set-up have played for Pakistan.
Speaking at the toss Sarfraz said, “There is the dew factor, batting will be easier later. We want to field. Wright, KP, Chigumbura, Nabi are our overseas players”.
Misbah on the occasion said: “It is all about posting a good total. We have four seamers. Shane Watson is batting well. He scored a hundred against India. It is a good balance. The opening ceremony was really wonderful”.
Teams
Quetta Gladiators: Sarfraz Ahmed (c), KP Pietersen, LJ Wright, E Chigumbura, Ahmed Shehzad, Anwar Ali, Umar Gul, Zulfiqar Babar,Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Nabi, Akbar-ur-Rehman
Islamabad United: Shane Watson, Sharjeel Khan, Umar Amin, Babar Azam, SW Billings, Misbah-ul-Haq (c), AD Russell, S Badree, Mohammad Irfan, Rumman Raees
The match is followed by an impressive show of light, colour and music in which renowned Pakistani and international superstars including Ali Zafar, Sean Paul, Mohib Mirza and Sanam Saeed performed.
Captains Signing
