The fifth edition of PSL kicked off in Karachi at the National Stadium with an elaborate show of fireworks, music, and dance performances but fans were extremely disappointed with the lineup and the management.
Since the inception of the franchise, this is the very first time that the cricket league will be playing on home ground and expectations are high for fans for PSL 2020.
1. Musicians were not informed about the changes in their performances
What a bloody fiasco the PSL opening ceremony was – from one of the musicians who was part of it! pic.twitter.com/AMfgCHRk1R
— omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) February 21, 2020
The excitement built over the past few weeks was massive and apparently the stadium was packed. Fans across Pakistan were expecting an energy-fueled show but returned home quite disappointed.
BACK IN ACTION: Sorry friends and followers for being away. Today the PSL show pushed me to comeback. The Ceremony was horrible, total disarray, childish, not one exciting moment. Bad lighting. Some singers did old songs to perk up crowd, but failed. PSL shld do better at closing
— SHAHEEN SEHBAI (@SSEHBAI1) February 21, 2020
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
— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) February 20, 2020
2. The Host Mimicked the Prime MinisterÂ
The host of the show Ahmed Godil opened the ceremony after the national anthem. His opening speech appeared as if he was mimicking the PM, Imran Khan.
If you missed on Ahmed Godil historical meme fodder performance at PSL opening ceremony and looking for a clip when boy was rocking the stage. Here you go.#PSL5ComesPakistan pic.twitter.com/HdJEZ4agUv
— Desi Coffee (@Desi_Coffee) February 20, 2020
The representatives of the PSL teams including Darren Sammy were called on stage to take the oath to “follow and respect the rules of the league and to play with respect and integrity, endeavoring to serve as role models for people around the world”.
3. The Extensive and Boring Speeches
Opening ceremony votes:
3 – The sufi singers
2 – The cheer for all the Afridis
1 – The laser show
Minus 1056009: The speeches by people that shouldn't be giving speeches. No one cares. They aren't here to listen to you.— Dennis Does PSL 🇵🇰 (@DennisCricket_) February 20, 2020
The Pakistani security forces really don't like my tweets.
They've blocked mobile data for everyone at the ground and the press box wifi refuses to work for more than a minute.
But I've still got this tweet out so who is smarter now?
— Dennis Does PSL 🇵🇰 (@DennisCricket_) February 20, 2020
Sindh Chief Minister, Murad Ali Shah also took the stage and congratulated Karachi for achieving a milestone such as bringing cricket home. He stated that he had asked the PCB in the past to bring at least a single match to the city of lights.
“But it was not possible at the time,” he said.
Here's a recap of the first two hours of the PSL 2020 opening ceremony pic.twitter.com/sBP1aR1Y7C
— Dennis Does PSL 🇵🇰 (@DennisCricket_) February 20, 2020
4. The screens at Iqbal Qasim enclosure and Naseem ul Ghani enclosure restrained the view of 5000 spectators
One of the blunders that took place within the Iqbal Qasim enclosure and Naseem ul Ghani enclosure was the massive screens set up which did not allow 5000 spectators to watch the match in real-time for comprehensive coverage of the opening ceremony.
5. Opening Ceremony’s Director was an IndianÂ
PSL ceremony cost Rs 210 million
Ceremony show director was an Indian – have nothing against Indians but at a time like this surely we should be hiring a Pakistani director, not least because they could have done a far better job
What a complete and utter waste of money & time
— omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) February 20, 2020
Shubhra Bhardawaj. The Indian director of the PSL Opening Ceremony.
Why engage an Indian Director? Was an advert for tender published nationally and internationally to invite quotations? pic.twitter.com/nvpn7CrJjX— Tayyab kiani (@Tayyabkiani6) February 21, 2020
Regardless of the controversies, the fireworks were spectacular last night. We have not seen anything like that in ages.
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/Ca3PViCxVA pic.twitter.com/yMnN8uiZ1i— Faizan Lakhani (@faizanlakhani) February 20, 2020
Over 350 performers including some of the most renowned local artists including Aima Khan, Sajjad Ali, and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan performed.
For the next four weeks, the tournament will be the biggest source of entertainment in the country. Reportedly, 34 matches will be shared among Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Multan with the six franchise-based teams participating.
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