By Sarah Shaukat
2021’s most anticipated sporting event, the PSL, has finally kicked off with an opening ceremony in Karachi and it’s no surprise that Twitter is abuzz. It is an irrefutable fact that Pakistanis are die-hard cricket fans and anything related to the PSL ends up being dissected.
This year’s ceremony, though, has people confused. Many seemed to have missed it and many are not sure what they saw. The performances started off with the nation’s heartthrob Atif Aslam, followed by Imran Khan, Humaima Malik grooving to Bewafa, and the stunning ladies Aima Baig and Naseebo Lal performing ‘Groove Mera’, this year’s official PSL anthem, along with the Young Stunners.
And the memes have flooded out, as expected. The PSL has always been a great meme churner – Twitter had us in rollicks with the ingenious memes that came out following the release of ‘Groove Mera’.
True to form, the opening ceremony has quickly lead to some honest and hilarious reactions…
Some people were simply not impressed by the ceremony…
Not to sound rude, but is opening ceremony se acha tha Tabish Hashmi ko bulwa letay. Woh 3-5 jokes suna deta, atleast chass tou aati.#PSL2021 #PSLopeningceremony
— Anas Naveed (@Anas_Naveed) February 20, 2021
Pakistanis after watching #PSLopeningceremony pic.twitter.com/lDbxa7J3jP
— Shehryar. (@BakwasNaKarain) February 20, 2021
https://twitter.com/MDOfficial17/status/1363130533086175234
What an absolute horror arranged by PCB in the name of PSL opening ceremony .. What rubbish was this Man?#PSL6 #PSL2021 #PSLopeningceremony
— Muhammad Usman Chudhry (@MhmdUsmanCh) February 20, 2021
Some were perplexed at the run time of the ceremony
https://twitter.com/S_Wazir1/status/1363175478283100160
I didnt feel that it was opening ceremony yar 😭💔#PSL2021#PSLopeningceremony
— Jude’s wife (@sarwatlovesyou) February 20, 2021
Some people didn’t like the fact that the ceremony didn’t open with the PSL anthem! (hmmm … good point)
I usually never criticize on PSL as I love it to death but these Adat, Amplifier songs all of sudden after the opening speeches makes no context with the league. Could have started with PSL anthem and then performances related to PSL. #PSL6 #PSLopeningceremony
— Saqib Shah (@Saqibca) February 20, 2021
Some people even took a jibe at the visual effects!
@TheRealPCB after after hiring animators and directors from fiverr.#PSL2021 #PSLopeningceremony pic.twitter.com/7IYnXlHb3K
— safeer (@safeerUDDIN25) February 20, 2021
Does Atif Aslam Need to Take Notes from Tik Tok?
Atif Aslam set the stage on fire with some of his old hits but people were too quick to notice his mismatched lip sync. In fact, some pointed out that Tik Tok stars lip-sync better than him. Oh well.
Another day and I can't understand why do people/brands pay millions of rupees to singers just to lip-sync their famous songs.
Isn't it supposed to be a "LIVE" performance?#PSLopeningceremony
— Israr Ahmed Hashmi (@IamIsrarHashmi) February 20, 2021
https://twitter.com/LadyBibliovert/status/1363129647307911169
Atif Aslam right now sitting in his home be like. #PSLopeningceremony #PSL6 pic.twitter.com/7L3DAeaJqJ
— Naveed Ul Hassan 🐐 (@Navthekhan) February 20, 2021
This would have been way better without the fake mics 🎤 #PSLOpeningCeremony
— Ali Khan Tareen (@aliktareen) February 20, 2021
Meanwhile, die-hard Atif fans be like…
https://twitter.com/Farazadeez/status/1363137969628930056
Hayee cricket may be a great escape for the broken-hearted but it looks like some of them couldn’t catch a break, even at the opening ceremony. Some people were not happy that both Atif and Imran sang break-up songs!
When you're excited about PSL opening ceremony, and Atif and Imran both start with breakup songs.
From groove Mera to Bewafa nikli hai tu.
SMH.#PSL2021 #pslanthem2021 #PSLopeningceremony— Psychologist. (@JeeKuchKahaApne) February 20, 2021
Ahem… So actress Humaima Malik made an appearance on stage with singer Imran Khan and this is how people took it…
https://twitter.com/bissmahmehmud/status/1363129503254515715
I’M DYING😂😂😂😂. #PSLopeningceremony pic.twitter.com/IYU60KT5xi
— Zoha. (@zohaaa) February 20, 2021
https://twitter.com/teEn02/status/1363135386432671745
https://twitter.com/GULLFARAZMALIK4/status/1363129546828967942
If u ever feel useless just look at humaima malik in the PSL opening ceremony #PSL2021 #PSLopeningceremony
— sun dus 🪐 (@dwSundus) February 20, 2021
Humaima is the haddee in the doner kebab!#PSL2021 #PSLopeningceremony
— Faiza Khan (@faizakkhan) February 20, 2021
https://twitter.com/AliHassanch2020/status/1363142162066538499
https://twitter.com/mydanotmeda/status/1363191947515498496
Some people gave the full ceremony analysis…
Atif aslam proformance osm and then imran khan mood was osm and then naseebo aima mood was full gusa #PSLopeningceremony pic.twitter.com/LAlQQjk7sx
— Mubashar Gulzar (@Mubashargulzar6) February 20, 2021
https://twitter.com/oyebandabann/status/1363132146194534401
#Oho #Naseebo & #ImranKhan 🔥 Loved their Delightful Performance. Baqi #AtifAslam ny Unexpectedly Bore e Kiya. #PSLopeningceremony 🏏
— Arslan Sonuu (@arslany2j) February 20, 2021
Some people are asking the burning question, Turkey janay ki kya zaroorat thi?
Honestly these performers were flown to Turkey for 3 songs 🤷🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️.. they could have shot this in one of @aliktareen farms (warehouse) 😂😂 without paying for the business class tickets and 5* hotels stay 🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️ #PSLopeningceremony
— Hasan Arshad (@hasanarshad610) February 20, 2021
Interestingly, some people are terming this to be well in sync…
This is what a pre recorded event can do. Spectacular production, synced performances and much to appericiate. Weldone @PCB#PSLopeningceremony#PSL2021 #MatchDikhao @itsaadee @HumaimaMalick pic.twitter.com/UbUl59GlRS
— Touseef Ahmed (@barficecream) February 20, 2021
https://twitter.com/ObnoxiousBrat/status/1363129308215083011
https://twitter.com/Chaudharytweetz/status/1363128928815222789
With Twitter divided, if you ask us, the jury is still out on this one. Whether you loved it or hated it, the cricket fever is on the rise and we are excited to see how this season goes. What were your thoughts on the opening ceremony, do share with us!
