A mesmerizing musical show and a vibrant display of fireworks during an impressive ceremony marked the commencement of the 10th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday.
The night offered a captivating blend of music, fireworks, and cricketing excitement as PSL stylishly kicked off its landmark season. This is the first instance of Rawalpindi hosting the league’s inaugural game.
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 ignited the atmosphere with their electrifying performances at the opening ceremony.
Following the ceremony, defending champions Islamabad United clashed with two-time trophy winners Lahore Qalandars in the opening match of the tournament.
The 34-match tournament includes three double headers scheduled for April 12th, May 1st, and May 10th, while the remaining fixtures will be held across Karachi, Lahore, Multan, and Rawalpindi.
The six teams will compete fiercely for the $500,000 prize money allocated to the winners, while the runners-up will be awarded $200,000. The PSL X Draft, which took place on January 13th, provided the six franchises with an opportunity to revamp their squads ahead of the historic tenth edition.
The newly renovated Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore is set to host 13 PSL X matches, including the Qualifier, Eliminator, and the final on May 18th. The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium will host 11 matches, while Multan Cricket Stadium and National Bank Stadium will each witness five PSL X matches this season.
Babar Azam, the leading run-scorer in HBL PSL with 3,504 runs to his name, will captain 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 victory in the 2021 edition in Abu Dhabi, will continue as the Sultans’ skipper, having captained them 48 times in the previous four HBL PSL editions. Quetta’s Saud Shakeel will take over 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 with 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 as winners, securing the title for the third time, while Multan Sultans finished as runners-up for the third consecutive time.
‘Foolproof Security’
Meanwhile, the Rawalpindi police have implemented comprehensive security arrangements for 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 stated.
Regional Police Officer Babar Sarfraz Alpa and City Police Officer Syed Khalid Hamdani, along with other high-ranking officers, were present 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 vicinity, the spokesman said.
A special control room, he added, had been established to monitor the stadium and its surroundings, as well as the entire city, through Safe City and other CCTV cameras.
He said expert snipers were positioned on rooftops surrounding the stadium and along the teams’ routes.
The spokesman further mentioned that visitors were permitted to enter the stadium after passing through a walk-through gate and undergoing a full body search.
