Qatar Airways yesterday announced a long-term partnership with HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) as the Official Exclusive Airline of the tournament, which is emerging as one of the most exciting cricket events in the region. The inaugural season of the league featuring key Pakistani and international cricketers will take place in Dubai and Sharjah from today till February 23.
PSL, featuring five teams comprising of current and former Pakistani cricketing stars, as well as highly skilled and popular international players, is one of the sport’s most awaited global tournaments. After years of planning its launch this month, the tournament, which follows the popular T20 format, brings excitement to a sport which is followed by millions of fans around the world.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, Akbar al-Baker said that the association with PSL was a great opportunity to align the passion for travel with the passion for sport. Al-Baker said: “We are excited about our association with the Pakistan Super League. Qatar Airways has always championed the connectivity of sport and sporting achievement. In sport, we learn to play and win together, and travel can also teach us and inspire us to achieve together. This partnership aligns Qatar Airways’ vision to go places together with our passengers, and to be a part of their journey.”
This sports partnership is the latest in a series of key sponsorships for Qatar Airways, building on its mission to reach new fans through the power and passion of sport. Other partnerships include FC Barcelona, Al Ahli Football Club, Qatar Open Men’s and Women’s Tennis Championships, and IPTL among others. The partnership with PSL also aligns with the vision of the State of Qatar in its commitment to promote sports globally and in the region.
Qatar Airways currently operates flights to seven destinations across Pakistan, non-stop from its Doha hub, Hamad International Airport – double daily flights to Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad, three flights a week to Multan and Faisalabad, four flights a week to Sialkot and daily flights to Peshawar.
Karachi was first launched by the airline in 1995, Peshawar in 1998, Lahore in 1999, Islamabad in 2004, and Multan, Faisalabad and Sialkot in 2015.
Al-Baker continued: “Qatar Airways prides itself on being an important presence in the Pakistani market where we have grown our operations rapidly over the past few years, connecting Pakistan to the rest of the world with our direct services to Doha and onwards. The launch of flights to three Pakistani destinations last year – Multan, Sialkot and Faisalabad – helped us expand our reach in Pakistan and we are proud to be flying-in some of the most popular cricketers from Pakistan to the UAE for this season’s matches.”
Chairman Pakistan Super League, Najam Sethi welcomed Qatar Airways and highlighted this as a historic moment. “The Pakistan Super League is a global event and to have one of the world’s leading airlines partner with us is great news. I am sure that PSL fans will be equally delighted with this arrangement. Hopefully, many of our fans will make use of the excellent services that Qatar Airways has to offer as they make their travel plans to watch the first ever PSL.”
The opening game of PSL will be preceded by an exciting opening ceremony with performances by Ali Zafar and Sean Paul.