It was one of the boldest steps yet from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in reviving Pakistan cricket’s image – announcing a domestic cricket league where some of the best in the world would rub shoulders with raw domestic talent. Thus, was born the Pakistan Super League (PSL), an idea in gestation for over half a decade now, and the way it would announce itself to the world was nothing short of spectacular that wowed the Pakistani audience back home, the Pakistani diaspora in the Middle East, and cricket lovers worldwide. ITW was handed the responsibility for crafting the opening ceremony that would herald this new beginning, and with a vision of challenging the status quo and executing ideas which would disrupt convention, we went about setting a stage for the PSL that would give it a global viewership and a footing equal to that of other popular cricket leagues. What followed next were months of fierce brainstorming sessions scouting the best talent and deciding on elements which were to be put on display on the big night.
“We signed on ex-Miss Universe Sri Lanka, Stephanie Siriwadhana as the hostess for the evening, upping the event’s glamour quotient and added to it a set of marquee artists including Grammy Award-winning Jamaican Reggae Pop sensation, Sean Paul, Pakistan heartthrob Ali Zafar, and renowned Pakistani actors”
At the Dubai sports city cricket stadium the extravaganza was set up for maximum audience impact whether it through the XYLO brands that the spectators were provided which lit up throughout the ceremony in sync with different rhythms and beats, making the audience an integral part of the performance or the jaw-dropping fireworks display that wrapped the ceremony up and had more than 3,000 effects spread in four perimeters across the ground. Mr. Najam Sethi, Executive Chairman, PCB unveiled the trophy and then the five teams were introduced in grand style after which Mohib Mirza and Sanam Saeed lit up the stage with their performance on the title track of their upcoming movie – ‘Bachaana’ impressing movie and cricket lovers alike. Stepping up the tempo and proving why their unique craft is widely sought after, the Green Man Group painted the night ‘green’ with their drum beats. The show-stopper, Sean Paul, left everyone, especially Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo, and Darren Sammy (who joined him on stage impromptu), grooving to the beats of his reggae pop music. The artist, who shot to worldwide fame with his popular song ‘Get Busy’ in 2002, finds himself among the best having worked with global icons such as Pitbull, Enrique Iglesias, Nicki Minaj, and Damian Marley. Having him associated with the event proved to be a masterstroke as the tournament featured international cricketers, and was broadcast in Australia and West Indies while being streamed live on CricketGateway.Com in India and other countries.