The Pakistan Super League got off to a flyer on Thursday night at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
The action on the field was a decent spectacle, with the result perhaps meaning more than the level of cricket itself.
PSL newcomers Multan Sultans, a brand-new franchise in this third edition, ran out seven-wicket winners against defending champions Peshawar Zalmi.
Here, we round up some of the takeaway bites from Dubai.
THE OPENING CEREMONY DID ITS JOB
There was little expense spared by the Pakistan Cricket Board at Dubai’s biggest cricket facility.
Pakistani superstar singer Shehzad Roy, American act Jason Derulo and popular Ali Zafar all performed, much to the crowd’s delight.
Flashing lights and pyrotechnics were pretty spectacular too for Abida Parveen as she performed some of her classics among an array of dancing talent. There was also a spectacular fireworks display and trophy handover.
And, you wouldn’t believe it, some cricket chat…too. Former Pakistan captain Rameez Raja dished out some questions to each of the five team captains ahead of the opening match and PCB chief Natham Sethi also addressed those in attendance.
The beautiful colours of the scintillating #HBLPSL opening ceremony #DilSeJaanLagaDepic.twitter.com/1xFqnyACWh
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 22, 2018
International pop star @jasonderulo during his energetic performance at the opening ceremony of #HBLPSL 2018 #DilSeJaanLagadepic.twitter.com/5iRef6FGD0
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 22, 2018
THE DUBAI CROWD
Not quite a full house but a decent number in to witness the action and there was plenty of noise made. No shortage of passion, too. Without an official attendance figure, it’s hard to gauge how this has set a marker for attendances and ticket sales throughout the tournament to be held here and in Sharjah.
OUT! 15.4 Hardus Viljoen to Haris Sohail
Watch the match at https://t.co/tYXXKcO6GS#HBLPSL#DilSeJaanLagaDe#PZvMS#Cricingifpic.twitter.com/vIKyElVCVm— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 22, 2018
SHOT OF THE DAY
Easily Darren Sammy’s power-bolt over long-on which brought up his second consecutive six at the end of the 18th over in the first innings. The West Indian really helped Zalmi put their foot on the gas with his cameo, but that maximum in particular was memorable. It was just the way he cleared his feet and stumps to make room, wind up the arms and perfectly time an overpitched Sohail Tanvir delivery out of the park.
SIX! 17.6 Sohail Tanvir to Darren Sammy
Watch the match at https://t.co/tYXXKcO6GS#HBLPSL #DilSeJaanLagaDe #PZvMS #Cricingif pic.twitter.com/PRDdH5swMZ— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 22, 2018
MAN OF THE MATCH
While this tournament rightly aims to showcase the very best Pakistani talent, you couldn’t help but marvel at a man still at the peak of his powers at the age of 40 – Kumar Sangakkara.
The Sri Lankan great made 57 in a match-winning effort for the Sultans and showed once again why he could easily still be playing international cricket week in, week out.
The Player of the Match for the opening game of #HBLPSL 2018, @KumarSanga2#DilSeJaanLagaDe pic.twitter.com/pSqfX7rR7P
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 22, 2018
QUOTE OF THE MATCH
Losing captain Darren Sammy reflected on Zalmi’s first innings 151-6 – saying it simply wasn’t enough.
“I think were about 10 runs short. Credit must go to Hafeez for the way he played to get us to 150. I thought we had enough. But we gave away about 20 runs extra in the field.”
MOAN OF THE MATCH
The 9pm local start wasn’t really crowd friendly, adding to the fact the first innings took two hours. If you take into account Pakistan time is one hour ahead of Dubai, then it is very late viewing for the event’s key target audience.
The opening ceremony and clearing the field was obviously a massive operation but 12:43am seems a bit zzzz to finish a cricket match, especially for a tournament appealing to family viewing.
19.1 Shoaib Malik scores the match-winning six for Multan Sultans! pic.twitter.com/ZyCfm5hDEe
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 22, 2018