Cricket legends and showbiz stars unite at Pakistan Celebrity T10 Cricket League USA
Former cricketers and showbiz celebrities graced a glittering ceremony at a private hotel in Karachi on Sunday to mark the announcement of the Pakistan Celebrity T10 Cricket League USA, 24NewsHd TV reported.
The event highlighted not only the upcoming league to be staged in North America but also became a platform for lively discussions on Pakistan’s cricketing future, particularly in the Asia Cup 2025.
Former Pakistan captain Younis Khan praised the league as a “wonderful event,” emphasizing its importance for Pakistani fans and the expatriate community in North America.
He explained that the short-format competition would be completed in just two or three days.
Younis expressed hope that the current squad would perform well in the Asia Cup under the new coaching staff.
Former all-rounder Abdul Razzaq echoed optimism, noting the presence of four to five hard-hitting batsmen in the side and insisting players were well aware of their responsibility to deliver victories for Pakistan.
He stressed that Haris Rauf must be trusted, while also sharing lighter moments, recalling encounters with actress Tamannaah Bhatia.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal voiced concerns over Pakistan’s bowling unit, particularly the lack of spinners in suitable conditions.
He said the Asia Cup left no room for errors, highlighting the need to win against both weaker and stronger teams.
He called for Saim Ayub’s consistent grooming as a top-order batsman while suggesting Mohammad Haris should feature in the top three batting positions.
Former pacer Umar Gul emphasized that Pakistan’s success in major tournaments has historically come through strong bowling.
He highlighted the importance of improving death-over strategies, noting that fans would miss stars like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma in this event.
Showbiz stars also shared the spotlight at the ceremony.
Actor Faisal Qureshi described cricket as the last remaining source of national entertainment, urging that politics be kept away from the game.
Sheheryar Munawar expressed disappointment at the intrusion of politics into cricket but voiced hope for Pakistan’s improved performance in the Asia Cup.
He said that both Pakistan and India face immense pressure in their encounters, recalling how Babar and Rizwan had famously defeated India by ten wickets.
Actor Fahad Mustafa praised the balance of the current squad, labeling Babar and Rizwan as “Pakistan’s true assets” and expressing confidence that the young team could once again outshine India.