Picturesque Gwadar Cricket Stadium is hosting its first exhibition T20 match today on Friday. The Sooper Hai Pakistan Cup is being played between Gwadar Dolphins and Showbiz Spark. The breathtakingly beautiful stadium had attracted global attention on social media after singer Fakhr-e-Alam put pictures and videos of the stadium on his social media last month.
International Cricket Council (ICC) has termed the stadium one of the most beautiful sports venues in the world. The newly inaugurated stadium is set against the backdrop of white clay Koh-e-Mehdi Hills and Gwadar Bay.
https://twitter.com/EliottJenson/status/1362648140113829888?s=20
Stadium attracts global attention
The stadium with its lush green field is surrounded by towering cliffs. A sight to behold, people from Pakistan and all over the world gushed over the amazing viral images of the stadium. Pakistani singer, host, and commentator, Fakhr-e-Alam had shared the images on his official Twitter account during his recent visit to the port city.
Read more: ICC is all praise for the spectacular Gwadar Cricket Stadium
Various celebrities including Fakhre Alam, Saleem Sheikh, Ejaz Aslam, Shehzad Roy, Kamran Jeelani, Ali Zafar, Salman Saeed, Ali Safina, and others have been part of the exhibition match. Meanwhile, Pakistan Sports Board, CEO Wasim Khan, Special Assistant to PM on Tourism Sayed Zulfikar Bukhari, and British High Commissioner Christian Turner are also part of the match.
Ye hum hain
Ye humara toss hai
Aur yahan cricket ho rahi hai 🏏SAPM @sayedzbukhari wins the toss @CTurnerFCDO @TheRealPCB @falamb3 @AliZafarsays #CricketAtGwadar pic.twitter.com/AoKymgHc4E
— Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis & HRD (@mophrd) February 19, 2021
The T20 match is being broadcasted on Aaj Entertainment in collaboration with English Biscuit Manufacturers. Alam had promised to organize an exhibition match in the stadium last month after his videos created a frenzy on social media.
The exhibition match aims to promote tourism in Pakistan particularly in Gwadar and Baluchistan.
Read more: An international cricket stadium to be built in Nagar, Gilgit-Baltistan
The Government of Pakistan has announced to dedicate the exhibition the lost mountaineer, Muhammad Ali Sadpara, who disappeared during the K2 Winter Expedition 2021. A moment of silence followed by the prayers for the lost national hero of Pakistan was observed before the match. Players paid tribute to the climber and his family.