The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is buzzing with excitement as fans gather for the spectacular opening ceremony of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10th edition.

The night is set to deliver a thrilling combination of music, fireworks, and cricket action as PSL celebrates its tenth season in grand style. This marks the first occasion Rawalpindi has hosted the league’s inaugural match.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that the opening ceremony will feature an array of captivating performances, including a set by renowned Sufi artist Abida Parveen, a cultural presentation by Ali Zafar, and a modern performance by Young Stunners.

Adding to the excitement, the singers of the HBL PSL X anthem — Abrar ul Haq, Ali Zafar, Natasha Baig, and Talha Anjum — will also take the stage.

Following the ceremony, defending champions Islamabad United will face off against two-time champions Lahore Qalandars in the tournament’s opening game.

The tournament, comprising 34 matches, includes three doubleheaders scheduled for April 12, May 1, and May 10. The remaining games will be held in Karachi, Lahore, Multan, and Rawalpindi.

The six competing teams will vie for the $500,000 prize awarded to the winners, while the runners-up will receive $200,000. The PSL X Draft, which took place on January 13, allowed the franchises to strengthen their teams before the landmark tenth edition.

The newly renovated Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore is prepared to host 13 PSL X matches, including the Qualifier, Eliminator, and the final on May 18. The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium will host 11 matches, while the Multan Cricket Stadium and National Bank Stadium will each host five PSL X matches this season.

Babar Azam, the leading run-scorer in HBL PSL with 3,504 runs, will captain the 2017 champions, Peshawar Zalmi. Australia’s David Warner is set to become the fourth overseas player to lead the 2020 champions, Karachi Kings, following Ravi Bopara, Kumar Sangakkara, and Eoin Morgan.

Mohammad Rizwan, who led Multan Sultans to victory in the 2021 edition in Abu Dhabi, will continue to captain the Sultans, a role he has held 48 times in the previous four HBL PSL editions. Saud Shakeel will take over the captaincy of the Quetta Gladiators from Rilee Rossouw.

Shadab Khan, who has captained Islamabad United in 55 HBL PSL matches, will continue his leadership role for HBL PSL X. Shaheen Shah Afridi, the only captain to have won consecutive HBL PSL titles, will lead the Lahore Qalandars.

In HBL PSL 2024, Islamabad United emerged as champions, securing their third title, while Multan Sultans finished as runners-up for the third consecutive time.

‘Comprehensive Security’

Law enforcement has implemented comprehensive security measures for PSL 2025 in Rawalpindi.

A spokesperson stated that these security arrangements were made in collaboration with various agencies.

“Over 5,000 police personnel, along with more than 367 traffic police personnel, will be on duty,” the spokesperson noted.

Senior officers were present to oversee the arrangements.

Special police teams, including Dolphin Force and Elite Force personnel, were stationed around the stadium and its vicinity, according to the spokesperson.

A dedicated control room has been established to monitor the stadium, its surroundings, and the entire city through CCTV cameras.

Expert snipers have been positioned on rooftops around the stadium and along the routes used by the teams.

Visitors are required to pass through walk-through gates and undergo full body searches before entering the stadium.