As the much-anticipated opening ceremony of the Pakistan Super League's (PSL) eighth edition kicked off at the Multan Cricket Stadium, the city was lit with fireworks and celebratory ambience on Monday.
The star-studded festivity of Pakistan's biggest cricketing tournament amused spectators watching the ceremony in the stadium and on screens around the world with captivating performances by musicians and artistes including Aima Baig, Sahir Ali Bagga, Pasoori sensation Shae Gill, Asim Azhar, and rapper Faris Shafi.
Speaking at the occasion, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee Chairman Najam Sethi assured the nation about PSL matches being held in Quetta and Peshawar in 2024.
Opening matches of the tournament will be played between defending champions Lahore Qalandars and 2021 winners Multan Sultans, while the closing ceremony and final will be held on March 19 in Lahore.
Winners of the coveted PSL 8 Supernova trophy will take home a cheque of Rs120 million, while the tournament's runners-up will receive a cheque of Rs48 million.
Multan lights up with fireworks
Shae Gill, Asim Azhar and Faris Shafi perform PSL anthem on stage
Musician Sahir Ali Bagga and singer Aima Baig perform together
PCB Managment Committee Chairman Najam Sethi welcomes spectators
"Full congratulations in advance to those who will win. Let the game begin," Sethi said while welcoming crowd at the festive ceremony.
He noted that the tournament has given several stars to the national side, including Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Hasan Ali.
HBL CEO Muhammad Aurangzeb hoped that the young players would perform well in the tournament. He also asked the fans in the stadium and around the world to enjoy the tournament.
"No matter which team wins [...] the real victory is of Pakistan," he added.
Aima Baig sings the national anthem at the opening ceremony
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