Stars Galore, Glitz and Glamour Mark the First Edition of PSL

• The Pakistan Super League had it all, from nail biting finishes to film stars attending matches.
  
• Misbah got a chance to get one back at his critics. The man considered unfit to play T20 for Pakistan in 2012, ended up leading his side to title triumph in the inaugural edition of PSL.
  
• PSL was an unqualified success and has once again put Pakistan cricket on the world map.
  

For any Pakistani the past fortnight has been one to remember.

Since 2008, the one thing about Indian cricket that had been an envy for most in the world, but more so in Pakistan, has been the successful run of Indian Premier League (IPL).

Something to Talk About

But with the launch of their own version of IPL, the Pakistan Super League (PSL), the entire nation seemed to have found something to rally around. Till PSL, Pakistan’s domestic cricket had been a subject of ridicule especially the legendary Imran Khan.

But PSL has changed it all.

Star-Studded

There was lights, camera and lots of action. Full houses were the order of the day as PSL managed to get crowds in for games at both the Dubai International Stadium and Sharjah Cricket Stadium. What the tournament managed to do was revive the interest in Pakistan’s cricket.

To see some of the biggest names Chris Gayle, Kevin Pietersen amongst a whole host of Pakistani stars was a talking point for the fans. Then you had the likes of Sir Viv Richards and Wasim Akram doubling up as mentors of some of the sides added more star power to the tournament.

Finally, Pakistan had lots to talk about around their cricket. The start of the tournament also had a lot of talking points with performers like Sean Paul being joined in by Gayle, Darren Sammy and Dwayne Bravo as they danced for a world audience.

The matches saw some interesting performances especially by some known Pakistan players like Ahmed Shehzad, who had a second wind to his career thanks to time spent with the great Viv. Then Shehzad had a big show down with the hot headed quickie Wahab Riaz too. All this added to the talk and chatter around the tournament.

Nail-Biters

PSL did for Pakistan cricket, what IPL did for India’s game. There were celebrities attending matches, filmstars, TV stars and also some known politicians. There was a buzz around the tournament in not just in Pakistan, but also in UAE.

For fans of Pakistan cricket, especially the Pathans based in Sharjah, it gave an opportunity to look at their favourite star Shahid Afridi celebrating in his trademark style.

Some close matches, nail-biting finishes added to the tournament’s lustre. Then there were some performers from the past like Mohammed Sami, who too shot to fame again. He picked wickets at regular intervals and was rightaway picked for the Asia Cup and World Twenty20.

Misbah Has the Last Laugh

There was the usual chatter about the contests between Afridi and the tuk-tuk king Misbah-ul-Haq. Pakistan loves to hate Misbah’s batting style, especially in the limited-overs formats. It was therefore only fitting that in the evening of his career, Misbah got a chance to get one back at his critics. The battle was between Sarfaraz Ahmed’s Quetta and Misbah’s Islamabad. The man considered unfit to play T20 for Pakistan in 2012, ended up leading his side to title triumph in the inaugural edition of PSL.

Moment to Savour

The final was a heady moment for the whole of PSL, because the tournament had two failed launches and had been in the making forever.

Finally, the tournament ended as the team led by veteran journalist Najam Sethi, who pulled it off. The tournament’s financial and economic gains is a matter of study with the dust just about settling in. But it is fair to say that PSL was an unqualified success and has once again put Pakistan cricket on the world map.