UAE all geared up to host Pakistan Super League

Better late than never. First season of HBL Pakistan Super League is all set to start in Dubai and Sharjah from Feb.4-23.

Five teams, Islamabad United, Lahore Qalandars, Karachi Kings, Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators will fight for top honours.

With top international cricketers from nine different countries taking part in the league, it is going to attract cricket fans from different communities in the UAE and beyond. The stars include Pakistan T20 skipper Shahid Afridi, Chris Gayle Kevin Pietersen, Shane Watson and Shakib ul Hasan.

The cricket fraternity of the UAE got together in Dubai for a Press meet and greet event on Sunday. Chairman of HBL Pakistan Super League governing council Najam Sethi was joined by Dubai Cricket Council chairman Abdul Rehman Falaknaz, Emirates Cricket Board chief executive officer David East and many other dignitaries.

Addressing the ceremony Falkanaz said: "Our partnership with Pakistan Cricket Board goes a long way. The PSL is a grand event and we are very pleased to host the inaugural tournament. I hope this will be a popular tournament and I wish the PCB best of luck."

Sethi said: "The PSL is now few days away and it is an exciting time for all the cricket enthusiasts. I thank all the sponsors and officials of Dubai and Sharjah cricket stadiums for providing us opportunity to stage the event."

Salman Iqbal, ARY CEO and owner of one the franchises, Karachi Kings said: "ARY and cricket have old partnership. We have seen cricket growing in the UAE. We sponsored a number of tournaments in Sharjah.

"Now it is an honour to be part of the PSL and it was long overdue by the PCB. It is a step in the right direction and I hope it will change the cricket scenario in Pakistan."

Tickets for the PSL are available online to fans across the world at kyazoonga/PSL. Fans in the UAE can also purchase tickets from the branches of AJ Sports, Al Fardan Exchange, Karachi Darbar, Kulcha King, Tandoori Junction Sindh Punjab, TCS and Delhi Nihari. Ticket prices for the single headers start from Dh20 while tickets play-offs, double headers and the final start at Dh30.

There is a lot in store for fans as the opening ceremony of the PSL will see performances by top stars including Ali Zafar and Sean Paul.

The opening match will be played between Quetta Gladiators and Islamabad United in Dubai on February 4.

liaqat@khaleejtimes.com