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    Lahore Rises Like a Phoenix to Hold a Memorable PSL Final

    2nd PSL 2017 Final Match Review

    Written by: Jalal Hussain
    Posted on: March 06, 2017 | | 中文

    Peshawar Zalmi celebrate their victory in the PSL final (source: ESPN Cricinfo)

    A packed to the hilt Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore witnessed the final match of the second edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) on Sunday. Even a week before the final, the possibility of the event being moved away from Lahore was very real, given the tense security situation prevailing in the country. It took a monumental joint effort by the Punjab government, the PSL administration, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the Pakistan Army and the local administration to ensure that the final took place without any untoward incident. Security measures, the likes of which have never been seen in Lahore were in place, with thousands of soldiers and policemen patrolling the city, choppers whirring overhead and roads leading up to the stadium only open to ticketholders.

    Inconvenient as they were, Lahoris took the extensive security measures in their stride and cooperated with the arrangements, understanding the significance of the event. Fans had thronged Lahore from all over Pakistan in anticipation of the final, and those who could not get a hold of the tickets just soaked in the atmosphere of the city, which had been given an overhaul to welcome the foreign players.

    Lahore gave the look of a city in celebration: multi-coloured lights adorned trees and pavements, flowers had been placed around light poles, and the signs and sidewalks got a fresh coating of paint. The energy around the city was palpable.

    2nd PSL 2017 Final Match Review: Lahore fans express their delight at cricket's return to Pakistan

    Lahore fans express their delight at cricket's return to Pakistan (source: ESPN Cricinfo)

    On the day of the final, everything came together seamlessly, with the spectators from Lahore and around the country forgetting about their woes and security concerns to flock the Gaddafi Stadium in droves. The arrangements ensured that the spectators got to the ground without much hassle, as special shuttle buses took them from the designated parking spots to the stadium.

    The Gaddafi Stadium, having not been used for an event of this scale since the 1996 World Cup Final, was restored to its former glory. Spectators and citizens of Lahore were transported back to earlier times, when the entire city would be at a standstill to witness an important cricket match. Giant screens were placed at parks for the benefit of those who could not watch the match inside the stadium.

    2nd PSL 2017 Final Match Review: The fully packed Gaddafi Stadium at the PSL final

    The fully packed Gaddafi Stadium at the PSL final (source: 'Chai_Coffee', Twitter)

    The match itself was preceded by the closing ceremony, which was a regal affair. The PSL administration pulled all stops to ensure that the closing ceremony was one to remember, as they called in the biggest names in the music industry to perform, namely Ali Zafar, Ali Azmat, Overload and Faakhir. The musicians belted their famous songs as the crowd sang as one and the old and young danced around the aisles. The audience was also treated to a spectacular performance by paragliders, who jumped from a helicopter and landed at the ground, the six paragliders representing the flags of Pakistan and the five teams.

    The match itself – between Quetta Gladiators and Peshwar Zalmi – was rather one-sided, as the latter strode easily to victory on the back of a 32-ball 40 by Kamran Akmal and a late cameo by the Zalmi skipper Darren Sammy, who scored 28 runs in 11 deliveries. Peshawar Zalmi were clinical in their performance as their bowlers bowled with great discipline to ensure that the Quetta Gladiators were bowled out for a mere 90 runs. Hassan Ali, Wahab Riaz and Muhammad Asghar were the destroyers in chief, picking up seven wickets amongst them.

    2nd PSL 2017 Final Match Review: Kamran Akmal and Sarfraz Ahmed in action

    Kamran Akmal and Sarfraz Ahmed in action (source: ESPN Cricinfo)

    The result and the uncompetitive nature of the match itself paled in comparison to the fact that the match took place at all. The odds were so heavily stacked against Lahore hosting the final without any hiccups, that the spectators rejoiced in just being there and having a good time. Instead of reporting on depressing security developments, the television channels broadcasted the revelry around the stadium and the city.

    Ali Zafar captured the mood of the nation with his anthem for PSL, which blared throughout the match in the stadium and on television channels across the country. “Phir seeti bajay gi, stage sajay gaa, aur taali bajay gi, aur phir khel jamay ga.” (Whistles will be blown again, the stage will be decorated, there will be applause again, there will be fun and games again).

    2nd PSL 2017 Final Match Review: Darren Sammy soaks up victory adulation from the Lahore crowd

    Darren Sammy soaks up victory adulation from the Lahore crowd (source: ESPN Cricinfo)

    The anthem encapsulated the hopes and aspirations of a nation which is sick of the violence that engulfs it, and yearns for normalcy and peace. The PSL final may well be the first step in that direction, with the government and citizens showing that they have the will to stand united and defiant, and overcome any obstacles to ensure that terror does not consume our lives. Long live Pakistan!

     

    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021