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Thursday March 28, 2024

Curtains fall on successful PSL season

By Our Correspondent
March 18, 2019

KARACHI: A quarter of a million spectators witnessed the final phase of HBL Pakistan Super League at the National Stadium as curtains fell on season 4 with a simple ceremony on Sunday.

The ceremony was kept at a low note as spectators, players and officials observed a one-minute silence for all those who lost their lives in heinous attacks on the mosques on Friday in Christchurch in New Zealand.

The first 26 matches of the season were played in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah in the UAE, while the last eight matches were held in Karachi. The newly-renovated National Stadium reverberated with songs and chants from the spectators during the week-long spectacle, declared as “the week of cricket festival” by the Sindh government.

The closing ceremony had light music with famous folk singer Abrar-ul-Haq, Junoon, Fawad Khan and Sahir Ali Bagga performing. Ehsan Mani, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman welcomed the packed crowd of over 32,000 fans.

“We are ready for the final,” said Mani. “Around 250,000 people have watched the matches in the stadium in the last week and millions on television. “One should remember that its cricket which brings happiness.

“We thank the government of Pakistan, our armed forces and government of Sindh for helping us stage these matches.” Mani thanked all the 39 foreign players who visited Karachi for the final leg of the tournament, saying: “I would like to thank all the foreign players and officials. You have seen for yourself the passion of people here and we hope to see you for all the HBL PSL matches in Pakistan next year.”

Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Murad Ali Shah, also vowed to bring international cricket back in Pakistan after the successful staging of the PSL finals for two years. “Two years ago, I promised that we will bring the PSL matches to Karachi,” said Shah. “Last year, we hosted the final and this year we staged eight matches here.

“I salute the fans of Karachi who despite all problems helped us stage the final. “The government of Sindh will strive for the return of international cricket in Pakistan and that too will start from Karachi.

“I thank all the foreign players for visiting Karachi and, in the end, I would say whoever wins the final, cricket will be the winner, people of Karachi will be the winner and Pakistan will be the winner,” he said.

Quetta Gladiators captain Sarfraz Ahmed said the people have sent a clear message to the world. “I thank the crowd for coming in big numbers,” said Sarfraz, who is also Pakistan’s captain. “People have sent a clear message that Pakistan love cricket and it is safe for cricket.”

Former Spain football captain Carles Puyol, on a football promotion tour of Pakistan, also attended the closing ceremony as a special guest. “Thank you Pakistan for this amazing welcome,” said Puyol. “I know people here love cricket, but they also love football.”