The HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) marked its tenth edition — dubbed PSL X — with a dazzling opening ceremony at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday. The night came alive with performances by music legends and rising stars including Abida Parveen, Ali Zafar, Natasha Baig, and rap sensations Young Stunners.
The opening match saw Islamabad United face off against Lahore Qalandars at 8:30pm, kicking off a high-octane tournament that spans across four cities and runs until May 18.
While the fireworks and music set the mood for celebration, this year’s PSL arrives under heavy clouds — both literal and metaphorical. With ongoing turmoil inside the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the national team’s underwhelming performance in recent years, PSL X stands as a beacon of hope in an otherwise uncertain cricketing landscape.
Adding to the complexity, team owners — key stakeholders in the league — have openly voiced their dissatisfaction over the PSL’s direction over the past decade. Despite the tensions, all eyes now shift to the game.
This year, Rawalpindi takes center stage, hosting 11 of the tournament’s 34 matches — the most it’s ever had. Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium will host 13 games including the qualifier, eliminator, and the grand final. Karachi and Multan will each see five matches. The league includes three double-headers while the rest will be single matches, with a prize pot of $500,000 for the champions and $200,000 for the runners-up.
Security at Its Peak
To ensure foolproof security, over 5,000 police personnel have been deployed around Rawalpindi, backed by the Pakistan Army, Rangers, and other law enforcement agencies. Specialized units like Dolphin Force and Elite Force are stationed at key checkpoints.
The security is under the supervision of RPO Babar Sarfraz Alpa and CPO Syed Khalid Hamdani. Fans attending matches will pass through walk-through gates and undergo full-body searches. Surveillance from Safe City cameras and a dedicated control room will monitor activity inside and outside the stadium.
Islamabad IGP Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi chaired a crucial meeting on Thursday to review safety protocols. Player movement will be tightly monitored with bomb disposal units, smart cars, mobile jammers, and CCTV-equipped convoys ensuring top-tier protection throughout the event.
As PSL X unfolds, cricket lovers across Pakistan and beyond are hoping the game will offer the kind of unity, thrill, and inspiration that transcends the chaos — both on and off the field.
