READY, SET, GO: PSL’s third edition kicks off on February 22 with an additional sixth franchise also a part of the event whose final will take place in Karachi on March 25. PHOTO COURTESY: PSL
Pakistan Super League's (PSL) third edition's trophy was unveiled on Tuesday in Dubai in the presence of the six captains who will be vieing for the silverware along with their teams from February 22.
PHOTO COURTESY: ISLAMABAD UNITED
The trophy is sponsored by Swarovski and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi thanked and praised them for crafting it.
All the captains spoke on the occasion, with each of them optimistic about lifting it after the landmark final at the National Stadium of Karachi.
“I just want to say that without these franchise owners, there would be no PSL. I want to express my gratitude to them for their enormous support in terms of the money and the effort that they’ve put into this brand,” said Sethi, while praising the franchise owners in the press conference before the trophy was unveiled.
Sethi on captains
Sethi also took the time to individually praise each franchise captain.
“How can I not start with [Peshawar Zalmi captain] Darren Sammy,” he said. “He is a superstar back in Pakistan. We are indebted to him for the courage with which he came to Lahore, stood there and won the hearts of everyone.”
Presenting the glittering trophy of #HBLPSL 2018 with the six leading men of the league. Flown-in on the chopper helicopter powered by @Uber 🏆🏏🚁#DilSeJaanLagaDe pic.twitter.com/iJetHFfJc0
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 20, 2018
Sethi then spoke about Misbah. “On my left is possibly the greatest captain, certainly as far as statistics are concerned one of the greatest captains of the Pakistan cricket team, Misbahul Haq," he said.
“Apart from the laurels that have piled up at his doorstep — and there is a mountain of them — he is a unique man. I haven’t met a more humble person and a truer gentleman. He epitomises the phrase that cricket is a gentlemen’s game. I hope other captains emulate him,” added Sethi.
The 69-year-old then praised Shoaib Malik for taking the onus of leading new entrants Multan Sultans in the third edition.
Sethi thanked Lahore Qalandars’ captain Brendon McCullum for taking interest in PSL second year around and wished his team luck for the third edition.
On Karachi Kings’ new captain Imad Wasim, Sethi said: “He is a young and upcoming star. Imad is one of our most talented all-rounders. If he can lift the silverware with Karachi this year, I tell you he is in our sight to maybe lead Pakistan in the future.”
Sethi then introduced Quetta Gladiators’ captain Sarfraz Ahmed by mentioning his biggest achievement yet for Pakistan cricket team. “Sarfraz, a man who brought untold joy and ecstasy by winning the Champions Trophy.”
Thank you Sethi for PSL: Afridi
Former Pakistan T20I captain Shahid Afridi also spoke on the occasion and thanked Sethi for making PSL a reality.
“I would like to thank Sethi for promoting cricket in Pakistan through PSL. It was a big challenge but he took it upon him to make it a reality, sir thank you so much,” said Afridi.
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