KPL kicks off with beautiful opening ceremony

The inaugural edition of the Kashmir Premier League (KPL) kicked off with a simple yet beautiful opening ceremony in Muzaffarabad on Friday.

The ceremony started with paragliders landing on the ground with Pakistan and Azad Kashmir flags. Afterwards, the national anthems of Pakistan and Azad Kashmir were played in the stadium.

A significant crowd was present at the Muzaffarabad Cricket Stadium holding Pakistan’s and Azad Kashmir’s flags, who stood up in respect of the national anthems.

Speaking at the event, KPL President Arif Malik stated that they had been working tirelessly for the past three years to host a cricketing event in Muzaffarabad that could be telecast worldwide.

He implied that KPL is all about cricket and entertainment and that there is no place for politics.

“We will not discuss anything political here. We will only talk about cricket and entertainment,” he maintained. “There can’t be a better combination than Kashmir and cricket.”

Malik further said that finally hosting KPL in the Muzaffarabad Cricket Stadium is a dream come true for him.

“Dear world, look at the crowd and the beauty of Muzaffarabad, yes it is happening,” he uttered. “Thank you, Muzaffarabad and Azad Kashmir, our dream is fulfilled here today.”

He also thanked all the sponsors and broadcasters for their priceless contribution to make KPL a reality.

Meanwhile, KPL Vice-President Wasim Akram congratulated the people of Kashmir for getting their own league where the budding cricketers from the valley could shine.

“Now they [people of Kashmir] won’t complain that their talented youngsters do not get an opportunity [to showcase their skill]. They [players from Kashmir] will be playing alongside international players like Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik and Ahmed Shahzad,” he said.

The Sultan of Swing could not hold himself from praising the picturesque stadium of Muzaffarabad and termed it the most beautiful cricket stadium he has seen so far anywhere in the world.

The former captain wished luck to all the teams for the rest of the tournament.

Kashmir Committee Chairperson Shahryar Afridi, ruling party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s Senator Faisal Javed, KPL Director of Cricket Operations Taimoor Khan and others also addressed the ceremony.

Later, five captains of their respective franchises, except Shoaib Malik, gathered to unveil the beautiful trophy of the first edition of the KPL.