A stunning show of fireworks lights up the evening sky through the spectacular opening ceremony of Pakistan Tremendous League tenth version at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, April 11, 2025. — Fb/thePSL
LAHORE: A mesmerising musical present and a vibrant show of fireworks throughout a formidable ceremony marked the beginning of the tenth version of the Pakistan Tremendous League (PSL) on the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday.
The evening promised a mix of music, fireworks, and cricketing pleasure as PSL kicked off its landmark season in model. That is the primary time that Rawalpindi will host the primary recreation of the league.
Among the many star-studded lineup of performers have been the legendary Abida Parveen, pop sensation Ali Zafar, Natasha Baig, and the chart-topping rap duo Younger Stunners — all of whom set the stage ablaze with their electrifying acts on the opening ceremony.
The 34-match event contains three double headers scheduled on April 12, Could 1 and Could 10, whereas the remaining fixtures will happen throughout Karachi, Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi.
The six groups will lock horns to remove the $500,000 prize cash set for the winners, whereas the runners-up shall be awarded $200,000. The PSL X Draft, which came about on January 13, gave the six franchises a chance to refurbish their squads forward of the historic tenth version.
The newly renovated Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore is about to play host to 13 PSL X matches, together with the Qualifier, Eliminator and the Could 18 ultimate. The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium will host 11 matches, whereas Multan Cricket Stadium and Nationwide Financial institution Stadium will witness 5 PSL X matches every this season.
Babar Azam, the main run-scorer in HBL PSL with 3,504 runs to his identify, shall be main the HBL PSL 2017 winners Peshawar Zalmi. Australia’s David Warner turns into the fourth abroad participant to steer the 2020 champions Karachi Kings after Ravi Bopara, Kumar Sangakkara and Eoin Morgan.
Mohammad Rizwan, who led Multan Sultans to glory within the 2021 version in Abu Dhabi, will proceed to reign because the Sultans’ skipper, having carried out so 48 instances within the earlier 4 HBL PSL editions. Quetta’s Saud Shakeel will take the management duties of the Gladiators from Rilee Rossouw.
Shadab Khan, who has led Islamabad United in 55 HBL PSL matches to date, has been entrusted management duties for HBL PSL X as properly, whereas Shaheen Shah Afridi, the one captain to have received consecutive HBL PSL titles, shall be in control of the Lahore Qalandars.
In HBL PSL 2024, Islamabad United emerged winners, bagging the title for the third time, whereas Multan Sultans ended up as runners-up for the third consecutive time.
‘Foolproof safety’
In the meantime, the Rawalpindi police have made foolproof safety preparations for the PSL 2025.
In response to a spokesperson, the safety preparations have been made in coordination with the Pakistan Military, Rangers and different safety businesses.
“Over 5,000 police personnel along with more than 367 traffic police personnel will perform security duties,” the spokesman mentioned.
Regional Police Officer Babar Sarfraz Alpa and Metropolis Police Officer Syed Khalid Hamdani, together with different excessive officers, have been within the subject to oversee the preparations, he added.
Particular police groups, together with Dolphin Pressure and Elite Pressure personnel, have been deployed across the stadium and its environment, the spokesman mentioned.
A particular management room, he added, had been set as much as monitor the stadium and its environment and the whole metropolis by Secure Metropolis and different CCTV cameras.
He mentioned professional snipers have been deployed on the rooftops across the stadium and the route of the groups.
The spokesman additional mentioned that the guests have been allowed to enter the stadium by a walk-through gate and full physique search.
