A grand opening ceremony of the Pakistan Super League will begin on February 4 in Dubai hosting players from all five franchise teams. The first match will be played between the Islamabad United and the Quetta Gladiators. The International Cricket Council elite, Pakistani umpire Aleem Dar will get a shield plus a 1,000-rupee cash prize after the final.
With top international cricketers from nine countries taking part in the League, it is sure to attract a wide variety of cricket fans from the United Arab Emirates and beyond. These stars include Pakistani T20 skipper Shahid Afridi, England's Kevin Pietersen, Australian all-rounder Shane Watson, former Bangladeshi captain and currently number 1 ranked ICC T20 all-rounder Shakib al Hasan and West Indian opener Chris Gayle. Tickets for the League are available online to fans across the world. Fans can also purchase tickets from branches of Al Fardaan Exchange, Karachi Darbar, Kulcha King, AJ Sports, Tandoori Junction, Sindh Punjab, TCS, and Delhi Nihari. Ticket prices for the single headers start from an extremely affordable AED 20 while tickets for play-offs, double headers, and the final start at AED 30. The ceremony will see performances by Pakistani heartthrob Ali Zafar and Sean Paul, and a fireworks show that the public will be able to enjoy before the opening match between the Quetta Gladiators and the Islamabad United.