It was a dream come true for Saeed Ullah, who came to Karachi from Quetta to meet his favorite Peshawar Zalmi players on Friday during Pakistan Super League (PSL) match.
While talking to the media he said, “I feel as if I am dreaming. I am so happy.” Saeed was invited from Quetta to meet his favourite players of the team Peshawar Zalmi at the National Stadium in Karachi. The Kings won the match but for the differently-abled fan who couldn’t walk, it was an experience of a lifetime.
He thanked Zalmi owner Javed Afridi for inviting him all the way to Karachi so he could meet his favourite stars. “Our fans live in our hearts and these special fans are really close to our hearts,” said Afridi. “Zalmi’s name and fame are all because of their [fans] prayers.”
Karachi Kings’ Coach Dean Jones won hearts and the internet after a video of him clearing the mess and trash after the match went viral on social media. Jones picked up the mess from the enclosure after his team beat Peshawar Zalmi on Friday at Karachi National Stadium.
#DeanJones@ProfDeano Thank you for the display of such greatness and humbleness and We are proud of you being here and helping us learn being better than we are! This is what we need to learn! https://t.co/6RDEEPC3Om
People are praising the international cricketing star for showing a sense of responsibility towards society. Few other Karachi Kings’ cricketers were also seen in the background picking up the garbage.
Earlier, Jones’ team Karachi Kings was also involved in controversy during the match with Peshawar Zalmi. One of the Kings’ members was spotted using a mobile phone in the players’ dugout area during the match. After this, people started criticising this as ICC rules do not permit the use of a mobile phone during the match.
Jones cleared the air on social media by sharing that the person wasn’t any player but he was the CEO of the team. He said he was doing his job arranging the practice session for the team.
Like in ALL T20 cricket. The manager/CEO is the only one allowed to have a phone. In this case Tariq.. our CEO is doing work. Here he is organising us Practice times for today. Thanks for your concern. https://t.co/UORGtmMlro
The opening ceremony of the fifth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) failed to impress the audiences. Apart from the lukewarm performances, the one thing which the audiences hated was Ahmed Godil, the host of the ceremony. Following his act on stage, netizens took to social media to troll Godil. Memes on him were plenty and people left no stone unturned to bash him.
Following the immense backlash and hate, Ahmed while talking to a private news channel said,”Meri ghalti kya hai? I was doing my job. Meri maa behan ko to bakhsh do yaar. Main ne kya ghalti ki hai. (What is my mistake? I was just doing my job. At least leave my mother and sisters out of this).
Godil explained that all he did was try to warm up the crowd before the ceremony officially commenced.
“I was asked to go on stage to get the audience excited before the opening ceremony,” he said. “I was not even the host of the event. Fakhre Alam was always the host. I didn’t even know the broadcast had begun because I had the slot before the show itself.”
Godil further shared that he had not slept after the ceremony as people wouldn’t stop harassing him and his family. He added that his private number was leaked because of which he had to shut down his phone.
“Pichli do raton se main soya nahi hoon. Hum subah 5 bajay ghar aaty thay or phir 10 bajay hamain wapis report karna hota tha. Where did I go wrong? Kya main ne stage pe koi badtameezi ki? Kya main ne kisi ko gaali di? Ap log chahaty kya hain? (I haven’t slept since the past two nights. We had to report at 10 am every morning and would work till 5 in the morning. Where did I go wrong? Did I misbehave on stage? Did I abuse anyone? What do you all want? I am so hurt”).
Ahmed then proceeded to show his phone to the audiences and said, “This phone is on flight mode since last night. Someone leaked my contact number on Facebook.”
“Aap ne kya expect kia tha mujhse. Main aik host hoon. Main yahan pe aa k kapray utar k nachoon ga. Main ganay gaoonga. Main America gaya or Atif Aslam or Sonu Nigam ke shows ko host kiya. I am the only Pakistani host jisne Indian artist ka show host kia hai. Aap koi host dikha dein mujhay utha k. There is no one. (“I am just a host. What was I supposed to do? Take off my clothes and dance? I’ve been a host for a long time. I’ve hosted shows for Atif Aslam in America. I’ve done this before, I didn’t just come out of nowhere. But what did I do so wrong?)” he said.
Godil shared that since the PSL ceremony he has replayed his performance multiple times to try to find out where he went wrong. He shared that he is under severe mental pressure and fears that his career could end because of the trolling.
Godil is a host, VJ, RJ, actor and model. He did his Bachelor’s from Iqra University and Master’s from SZABIST. Before hosting PSL V, he also hosted the FebFest and Karachi Eat.
After a long wait, cricket, in particular, PSL has officially returned to Pakistan. The fifth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will be played entirely here and it goes without saying that excitement levels are high.
The opening ceremony was promised to be a glittering affair with more than 350 artists expected to perform. However, Pakistanis were not impressed with the final product.
The PSL opening ceremony was a shambles. Millions of rupees wasted. Either do a better and more professional job or instead give the money you are wasting to charity #PSLV
Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah and Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board Ehsan Mani said a few words before the performances began
Whirling dervishes performed to the Sufi serenades of Sanam Marvi, Abu Mohammad, Fareed Ayaz, and rock band Soch
Sajjad Ali, Abrar ul Haq, Aima Baig and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan were among those who performed at the event. However, fans did not appreciate them lip-syncing instead of performing live. Ali Azmat, Arif Lohar, Asim Azhar and Haroon sang the PSL V anthem ‘Tayyar Hain‘.
The opening ceremony concluded with a spectacular display of fireworks which was also possibly the best part of the ceremony
There may be glitches in the opening ceremony but this was spectacular. One of the best fireworks display in Pakistan. For rest of issues; I hope the organisers will learn from shortcomings identified today. https://t.co/Ca3PViCxVApic.twitter.com/yMnN8uiZ1i
Azam Khan’s fantastic batting performance has got to be the highlight of today’s match. Played confidently under pressure making his father and all of us so proud! Well done! #IUvQGpic.twitter.com/q06C0d3Fep
People were not happy with Ramiz Raja for ‘fat-shaming’ Azam
Young Azam Khan played very well against Shadab Khan his commentator uncle Rameez Raja declared him “gol matol Laddoo” which was not in good taste Azam Khan is son of Moeen Khan his impressive hitting made his father very proud #QuettaGladiatorspic.twitter.com/OSXDrYeNDD
Karachi Police have released a traffic plan for Pakistan Super League (PSL) cricket matches scheduled to be played at the National Stadium today.
For those heading to the National Stadium to watch their favourite players in the ground, they can park their vehicles at the parking spots after showing their tickets and CNIC.
Parking lots and routes
Those coming from central and west districts such as Liaquatabad No 10 can use Hassan Square, take a left at University Road and park their vehicles at Expo Centre. From there, audience will be taken to the stadium via a shuttle bus.
Those travelling from Malir and East districts can use Safoora and NIPA while those coming from Sohrab Goth via Gulshan Chowrangi can use Gulshan Chowrangi, take a left at University Road, AG Sindh U-Turn, then again University Road and park their vehicles. From there they will be shifted to the area adjacent to Expo Centre through a shuttle bus
Those travelling from East and Malir districts coming from Drigh Road via Shahrah-e-Faisal can use Drigh Road, take a right turn at Rashid Minhas Road, left turn to Millennium Mall and park their automobiles at the Gharib Nawaz Football Stadium near Millennium Mall. From there they will be shifted to Bahria University adjacent the National Stadium via shuttle bus.
People coming from South, City, West and Korangi/Defence districts and areas via Shahrah-e-Faisal can use Sharah-e-Faisal, Shahrah-e-Quaideen, Allah Wali Chowrangi, Society Light Signal, PP Chowrangi, University Road, Hassan Square, Baitul Mukaram U-turn, Expo Centre Gate 1 and then park their vehicles at Rana Liaquat Ali Khan Girls College from where they will go out from the Expo Centre Gate No 2 of the stadium or Shahrah-e-Faisal, Drigh Road, Rashid Minhas, NIPA, University Road to Expo Centre’s Gate No.1.
Those travelling from Central and West districts coming from Nazimabad and Liaquatabad No10 can use Hassan Square, take a left towards University Road, Baitul Mukaram U-turn, Expo Centre Gate 1 and park their vehicles at the Expo Centre, KDA Club and China Ground from where they will go out from Expo Centre’s Gate No 2 for the stadium.
Diversions
Karsaz: Traffic coming from Nursery shall not be allowed to proceed to Habib Ibrahim Rehmat ullah Road towards Stadium (Sir Shah Suleman Road). These vehicles will be diverted towards Drigh Road, Sharea Faisal, left turn Rashid Minhas Road, Millennium to NIPA.
Millennium: Traffic from Rashid Minhas Road shall not be permitted to proceed towards the stadium.
These vehicles will be diverted towards NIPA, Askari-IV (Millennium), Drigh Road to Shahrah-e-Faisal or Millennium, NIPA to Safoora Chowrangi or NIPA to Gulshan Chowrangi to Sohrab Goth.
New Town Chowrangi: From University Road, all kinds of traffic will not be allowed to proceed to Stadium Road from New Town Chowrangi turning. Traffic will be diverted towards Jail, Shaheed-e-Millat or straight towards PP Chowrangi. Public coming from Aga Khan Hospital and Liaquat National Hospital will be allowed from the New Town PS side.
University Road, Shaheed-e-Millat Road and Rashid Minhas Road will remain open for traffic. All commuters from Central, East, Malir, South and West can use the Lyari Expressway’s both sides from Mirza Adam Khan Chowk, Mauripur Road up to Sohrab Goth.
Heavy traffic
Heavy traffic will not be allowed from Sohrab Goth to Nipa, Liquatabad No 10 to Hassan Square, Peoples Chowrangi towards University road.
Traffic coming from Shahar-e-Faisal shall not be permitted to proceed towards Stadium.
These vehicles will be diverted towards NIPA, Askari-IV (Millennium), Drigh Road to Shara-e-Faisal or Millennium, NIPA to Safora Chowrangi or NIPA to Gulshan Chowrangi to Sohrab Goth.
Vehicles entering from University Road shall not be permitted to proceed towards Stadium Road from New Town Chowrangi turning and it will be diverted towards Jail Road, Shaheed-e-Millat or straight to Peoples Chowrangi.
Traffic coming to Aga Khan Hospital, Liaquat National Hospital will be allowed from New Town PS.
Islamabad United have released their anthem for the fifth edition of Pakistan Super League PSL. SochTheBand has sung the song ‘Rang Jeet Ka Laal’. The song features all the players of the team. Pakistan Super League is scheduled to begin today (Thursday) at the National Stadium of Karachi.
Earlier, Peshawar Zalmi released its star-studded anthem featuring Mehwish Hayat and Hania Amir for PSL 5. The vocals behind the Pashto track is by a three-member rock band named Fortitude.
Quetta also released its official anthem sung by Harris Jalil Mir & Hasan Bin Hisam.
Daren Sammy, one of the first cricketers who agreed to play the PSL 2 final in Pakistan in 2017, might just get honorary Pakistani citizenship. The owner of the PSL team Peshawar Zalmi, Javed Afridi, requested the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board to help get his team captain a green passport.
Sammy, who is active on Twitter, tweeted about how great it was to be back in Pakistan
“We requested honorary citizenship for Daren Sammy and it is almost on the table of president,” Afridi said during the unveiling of PSL 2020 trophy in Karachi. Afridi also said that the request might be approved if the PCB Chairman pushes for it or ‘makes a phone call’.
Afridi also said that he has Sammy’s voice notes that are, ‘too emotional for Pakistan”. A formal request has been made to the President and a decision is pending.
Sammy is often referred to as ‘Daren Sammy Khan’ because of his loyalty to the team from Peshawar.
Recently he tweeted in Urdu using google translate which got him into some fun trouble.
پاکستان میں پی پی ایس 5 کا مطلب پاکستان کے عوام کے لئے بہت معنی ہو گا اور میں اپنے پشاور زالما خاندان میں شامل ہونے کا انتظار نہیں کر سکتا اور اس کے ساتھ ساتھ اپنے آپ کو جوش و جذبہ کی وجہ سے ہجوم کے سامنے کھیل رہا ہوں ۔ یہ صرف کرکٹ نہیں ہے @JAfridi10
Sammy has played international cricket for the West Indies and is a two time T20 World Cup winning captain. He plays as a right-handed batsman and a fast-medium bowler.
500 thousand dollars cash (7 crore, 72 lakhs rupees) is what the Pakistan Super League winners will take home this year and the runner-up will get 200 thousand dollars (3 crore, 90 lakh rupees).
The league, in a press release, shared that the total prize money is one million dollars and 4,500 dollars (6 lakhs 95 thousand rupees) have been set for each man of the match award after each match.
80 thousand dollars (one crore 23 lakhs) will also be distributed among the best batsman, player of the tournament, and ‘for the spirit of cricket’ award. Other prizes include best catch, best run-out and most sixes.
The 5th PSL will begin from Feb 20th in Karachi. There will be 34 matches in total, with nine matches in Karachi, 14 in Lahore, eight in Rawalpindi and three in Multan.
The six-team tournament will be held across four venues with Karachi staging nine matches, Lahore 14 matches, Rawalpindi eight and Multan three matches.
In the opening match defending champions, Quetta Gladiators will take on two-time former winners Islamabad United at the National Stadium in Karachi.
With Pakistan Super League right around the corner, fans are waiting with bated breaths for the fifth edition to start. What’s even more special about this season is the fact that all matches will be played in Pakistan.
The team behind the league kick-started this season by releasing the PSL anthem. The song Tayyar Hain featured veterans Arif Lohar, Ali Azmat and Haroon along with Azhar. However, the song failed to impress the audiences who took to social media to voice their criticism.
In a note posted to Twitter, Asim talked about the PSL anthem, the sentiments attached to it and apologised to those who didn’t like it. He also requested people not to resort to personal attacks. However, Azhar added that the memes were great and he enjoyed those.
Tayyar Hain has been composed by Xulfi, while Kamal Khan of Laal Kabootar fame has directed the music video which also features star cricketers including Babar Azam, Hasan Ali, Rumman Raees, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Shan Masood.
According to the press release, “A total of 22 instruments have been used in creating Tayyar Hain, including indigenous instruments such as tumba, chimta, rubab and harmonium“.
