ISLAMABAD: Pakistan star Misbah Ul Haq will be seen in the role of captain on the opening day of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) at the Dubai International stadium on February 4 as organisers are planning a grand opening of the league.
All preparations for the Pakistan’s Cricket Board’s Twenty20 extravaganza is now in full swing with teams having training camps and practice matches at Pakistan’s different venues.
Misbah will lead the Islamabad United team in the opening match against Quetta Gladiators.
Tauseef Ahmad, the legendary off spinner, who is the assistant coach of the Islamabad United team, said: “We have just decided to have Misbah as our captain and we are undergoing rigorous training and playing practice matches.
We will arrive in UAE on January 31 and be among the first teams to come there as we are playing the opening match of the tournament,” Gulf News reported. Renowned Pakistani artist Ali Zafar and hip-hop sensation Sean Paul will perform during the opening ceremony. Cricketers from all five teams will be paraded during the ceremony. Lead actors Sanam Saeed and Mohib Mirza will re-enact their on-screen magic for fans at the stadium.
To try to make it affordable for fans, the starting rate for the tickets is Dh20.
To make it colourful, the organisers are planning to introduce LED wristbands to the public in Dubai.
“We have a balanced team with a mix of West Indies and Australian players. Samuel Badree of West Indies and Shane Watson and Brad Haddin of Australia are part of the team with the tall Mohammad Irfan spearheading the bowling attack,” said Tauseef.
In a video message to his fans, Sean Paul invited everyone to attend the ceremony.
“I will be in Dubai on the 4th of February, 2016 for the Pakistan Super League. Hope to see you there,” he said.
