Dubai: Pakistan star Ali Zafar mesmerises fans at ILT20 opening ceremony

A packed Dubai International Stadium was treated to a musical delight by Pakistan star Ali Zafar during the ILT20 opening ceremony on Tuesday.  

The 45-year-old singer had the holiday crowd in the palm of his hand as he produced a medley of his biggest hits, including the 2006 chartbuster ‘Sun Re Sajaniya’.

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Zafar was delighted to perform at the opening ceremony of the star-studded cricket tournament on the UAE National Day.

“Dubai has always welcomed me wholeheartedly, and I have thoroughly enjoyed playing to the Dubai audience, which is home to millions from around the world,” he said.

“It is a massive honour for me to perform on the UAE National Day and be a part of the festivities in this incredible country.”

Emirati singer Ahmed Al Hosani’s wonderful rendition of the UAE National Anthem kicked off the fireworks at the stadium before Zafar took the centre stage amid deafening noise.

Zafar’s magical concert was the perfect appetiser for fans who had turned up in huge numbers for the opening ILT20 match between defending champions Dubai Capitals and last year’s finalists Desert Vipers.

The fourth season of the ILT20, the UAE’s IPL-style T20 league, which got underway on Tuesday, has attracted some of the biggest names in world cricket, including Alex Hales, Andre Russell, Fakhar Zaman, Lockie Ferguson and Naseem Shah. 

Rituraj Borkakoty

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rituraj@khaleejtimes.com

Rituraj Borkakoty is Sports Editor and has spent more than two decades writing on his sporting heroes. He also loves an underdog story, so if you have one, share it with him. He would love to bring it to life.