Pakistan Super League opening and closing ceremonies

The opening ceremony of PSL season 1 in 2016 was held on 4 February 2016 at 7:00 pm (local time of Dubai) and ended at 8:00 pm. It was held at Dubai International Cricket Stadium situated in Dubai before the first match of league between Islamabad United and Quetta Gladiators.[2][3]

The hosts of the ceremony were Yasir Hussain and Stephanie Siriwardhana who is a Sri Lankan model. Whereas the co-hosts were Zainab Abbas, an anchor of Dunya News and Welsh cricket commentator and former English county cricketer Alan Wilkins.[4][5] It featured live performances by Pakistani singer Ali Zafar, Jamaican rapper and singer Sean Paul, Mohib Mirza, Sanam Saeed and other artists. Chris Gayle, Daren Sammy and Jason Holder also joined Sean Paul during performing. Ali Zafar performed his song official anthem of league "Ab Khel Ke Dikha".[6]

Kevin Pietersen said at ceremony that they were there to entertain and share their experience. Youngsters had lot of time to learn and play but they had little time. Najam Sethi thanked Shahryar Khan, chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board for his help. He said that he was thankful to everyone and would bring PSL to Pakistan in 3 years. HBL's president congratulated PCB.[7]

It ended with a firework display, attended by a large crowd.[8]

Zafar at the ceremony

The closing ceremony was also held at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on 23 February 2016. Bollywood actress Chitrangada Singh was spotted at the ceremony.[9]

The opening ceremony of the PSL second season was held in Dubai. It was held on 9 February 2017 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Defending Champions Islamabad United marched into the stadium in traditional Shalwar kameez. It featured Pakistani cultural performances as well as spectacular flying drummers. Over 26K people attended the ceremony in the stadium.[10] According to a source of Samaa TV, Justin Bieber was also invited but no confirmation was made.[11][12]

It was hosted by actor Fahad Mustafa who said that this league belongs to Pakistan.[13] Jamaican pop star and singer Shaggy sang his 1995's hit song "Bombastic".[14][15][16] He said that it was great to be perform at the ceremony. It should be an exciting affair and the Pakistan cricket fans would have enjoyed this spectacle.[17][18]

Ali Zafar sang the league's official song "Ab Khel Jamay Ga" and he danced too. Shehzad Roy performed the song "Ballay Ballay" and said that while performing, he felt proud and emotional and hoped that it would happen in Pakistan soon. "Dil Dil Pakistan" was also played at ceremony as a tribute to Junaid Jamshaid.[19] Shaan Shahid and journalist Hamid Mir were also spotted there to support Lahore Qalandars. Momina Mustehsan appeared to support Islamabad United by singing "Cricket Joray Pakistan". Mehwish Hayat and Bilal Ashraf supported Lahore Qalandars. Fawad Khan with Qatar Airlines' crew also appeared.[20]

Sheikh Mubarak bin Zayed al Nahyan, UAE's Minister of culture, came at the stage. He welcomed and praised the efforts and contributions of Pakistanis in helping UAE. He said that PSL testifies the strong bond between both countries.[20] He was thanked by PCB chairman for hosting the event.

Najam Sethi announced that they had bigger stars. He also introduced 'Pepsi catch a crore' that if someone from crowd caught a ball, then they would win a share of 1 crore (10 million).[21] He invited Misbah-ul-Haq and captains of other teams to come on stage and sign the bat as a donation to Edhi Foundation.[13] The ceremony ended with firework display.[22]

Najam Sethi and Umer Toor at ceremony.

The closing ceremony was held at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on 5 March 2017.[23] It was hosted by Pakistani actress Ayesha Omer and Ahmed Ali Butt. Nearly 30K spectators attended the ceremony. Pakistan army paratroopers demonstrated their skills at the ceremony as a tribute to the martyrs of Pakistan.[24]

Ali Zafar announced that he wouldn't perform in ceremony but later, he changed his mind and performed the song "Ab Khel Jamay Ga".[25][26]

Faakhir Mehmood sang his song "Tere Bin Dil Na Lage" at ceremony. Ali Azmat sang "[ Yaro Yehi Dosti Hai", "Jazba Junoon", "Josh-e-Junoon" and "Lal Meri Pat". After this, Daren Sammy took a stadium round, while leading Peshawar Zalmi. Overload also performed by singing "Dama Dam Mast Qalandar".[27] At end Najam Sethi thanked Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif for bringing PSL's final to Pakistan.[28]

Before ceremony, Peshawar Zalmi arranged a show with Indian comedian, Kapil Sharma titled 'Zalmi Nights with Kapil Sharma'.[29]

The ceremony started at 7:00 pm and concluded at 10:00 pm (local time of Dubai).[30] It was hosted in Dubai International Cricket Stadium on 22 February 2018, following the match between Multan Sultans and Peshawar Zalmi.[31] Artists like American pop singer Jason Derulo who was featured alongside Kapil Sharma, Pakistani singers like Abida Parveen, Ali Zafar and Shehzad Roy were among the performers.[32] Hareem Farooq and Bilal Ashraf hosted the ceremony.[33][34] The ceremony also featured the Pakistani Sachal Orchestra and a firework display.[35] A teaser of Ali Zafar's Pakistani film Teefa in Trouble was shown too. Ali Zafar kicked-off the opening ceremony by his performance, after which all teams entered the stadium.[36]

At the end, Zafar sang the official song of league "Dil Se Jaan Laga De" and another song "Rockstar". Rameez Raja introduced the expansion franchise in the league, 'Multan Sultans'.[37] Najam Sethi said that final would be held in Karachi and soon all matches would be held in Pakistan. He welcomed Multan Sultans.[38]

Jason Derulo sang his song "Swalla".[39] Abida Parveen sang "Dama Dam Mast Qalandar" and "Tery Ishq Nachaya". After which Roy performed and at last Zafar sang.[40]

After ceremony, a match was played between Peshawar Zalmi and debutant Multan Sultans, won by the latter.

The members of Strings band at the ceremony.

Cosing ceremony took place at National Stadium, Karachi, on 25 March 2018 at 6:00 pm followed by the final match played by Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi.[41] The presenter of the ceremony was Bilal Ashraf. The performers include Pakistani singers Ali Zafar, Shehzad Roy, Strings band, Aima Baig and Farhan Saeed. A crowd of 33K people were present in the stadium.[42][43][44][45][46]

Aima Baig sang her Coke Studio's rendition of "Baazi". Later, Hassan Ali and Daren Sammy joined Strings who performed song "Hai Koi Hum Jaisa".[47]

Waqar Younis and Umer Toor at ceremony.

The opening ceremony was held on 14 February at 8:00 pm (UAE time) in Dubai International Cricket Stadium, prior to the first match of the season that was held between Lahore Qalandars and Islamabad United.[48][49][50][51] Ceremony started by the national anthems of UAE "Ishy Bilady" and of Pakistan "Qaumi Taranah". The hosts of ceremony were Rameez Raja and Zainab Abbas.[52][53] Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, chairman of Emirates Cricket Board wished all teams and players and congratulated PCB. Later, Ehsan Mani thanked UAE government and welcomed everyone.[54] General Pervez Musharraf was also present at the ceremony.[55]

It then featured a marching band, which performed Europe's song, "The Final Countdown". British singer Marcia Barrett, from German band Boney M., performed her band's song "Daddy Cool". Aima Baig and Shuja Haider performed their rendition of Nazia Hassan and Zoheb Hassan's "Disco Deewane". Zoheb Hassan disliked it for not getting permission and tweeted that he would take a legal action.[56][57] Members of Junoon band performed on their songs "Yaar Bina", "Heerey" and "Jazba-e-Junoon". The last performance was the title anthem of the league's fourth season by Fawad Khan featuring Young Desi titled as "Khel Deewano Ka". Then, melody of Ali Zafar's previous anthems for PSL was played that was followed by the fireworks.[58][59][60]

American rapper Pitbull was also confirmed to perform at ceremony, however, later he withdrew due to a technical fault in his plane's engine.[61][62]

The closing ceremony of the league was held at National Stadium, Karachi at 6:00 pm on 17 March prior to the league's final match, held between Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators. The host of ceremony was Fakhar-e-Alam.[63][64][65] One minute silence was also observed in respect of the martyrs and victims of Christchurch mosque shootings in New Zealand. Nearly 32K spectators were present there in the stadium.[66][67][68]

After this, Abrar-ul-Haq performed his song "Nach Majajan". Aima Baig and Shuja Haider again paid a tribute to Nazia Hassan by performing "Dosti" and "Disco Deewane", by getting a permission from Zohaib Hassan.[69] Fawad Khan featuring Young Desi performed the title anthem of the league's fourth season, "Khel Deewano Ka". Sahir Ali Bagga performed a patriotic song "Har Dil Ki Awaz" at ceremony.[66] Last performance was given by Junoon band, who sang "Zamaane Ke Andaaz", "Khudi Ko Kar Buland", "Sayonee" and "Dil Dil Pakistan".[70]

The Chief Minister of Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah, Spanish World Cup winning footballer Carles Puyol and the cast of the upcoming Pakistani film The Legend of Maula Jatt also appeared at the ceremony.[71] Army Chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa and Governor Sindh Imran Ismail attended the final match after ceremony.[70]

Ramiz Raja at the ceremony.

The opening ceremony was held on 20 February 2020 at 6:45 pm (local time of Pakistan) at National Stadium in Karachi, prior to the first match of the league that was played between Quetta Gladiators and Islamabad United.[72][73][74]

The show began with the national anthem of Pakistan. After, a drummers and trumpeters group performed an instrumental version of official anthem of PSL 2020 titled "Tayyar Hain". Later, the first performance of the night was made. It was a Sufi medley that featured singers Sanam Marvi, qawwals Fareed Ayaz and Abu Mohammad, and the band Soch. After it, Sajjad Ali sang "Babia" and "Sohni Lagdi", his hits of 90s. Aima Baig performed her famous song "Dhola" at ceremony.[75] Abrar-ul-Haq and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan took the stage one after another and perform their songs. The ceremony concluded with Ali Azmat, Arif Lohar, Haroon Rashid and Asim Azhar's performance of PSL 2020 anthem "Tayyar Hain", that had been accompanied by a fireworks display in the background.[76] Nearly 350 artists performed at the ceremony.[77] Ahmed Godil hosted the ceremony whose style appeared to be mimicry of Imran Khan.[78] Soon, Fakhar-e-Alam replaced him to save the show. Due to this, he became a meme fodder on social media especially on Twitter.[79][80][81] He revealed in a show at Samaa TV that his mother couldn't sleep entire night due to the memes and criticized the ceremony for being poorly managed.[82][83]

Sindh chief minister Syed Murad Ali Shah credited the people of Karachi for the opening ceremony. He also thanked PCB and congratulated Karachi peoples.[84]

Closing ceremony of the league was planned to be held on 22 March 2020 in Lahore. But the ceremony, play-offs and final were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Closing ceremony was expected to be held on 17 November 2020 in National Stadium, Karachi but was cancelled as there were no spectators in the stadium in precaution against COVID-19 pandemic.[85][86]