PSL 2021: Roller skate police, fireworks and crowds mark opener in Karachi - in pictures

Karachi Kings defeat Quetta Gladiators by seven wickets on Saturday

Special Security Unit (SSU) personnel patrol on roller skates before the start of the 2021 Pakistan Super League opener between Karachi Kings and Quetta Gladiators at the National Stadium in Karachi on Saturday, February 20, 2021. AFP

Special Security Unit personnel patrol on roller skates outside the National Stadium in Karachi ahead of the start of 2021 PSL. AFP

Special Security Unit personnel patrol on roller skates before the start of first Pakistan Super League 2021 match between Karachi Kings and Quetta Gladiators at the National Stadium in Karachi. AFP

Special Security Unit personnel patrol on roller skates outside the National Stadium in Karachi. AFP

Fireworks over the National Stadium during the opening ceremony of Pakistan Super League (PSL) in Karachi. AFP

Fireworks at the National Stadium during the opening match of the Pakistan Super League between Karachi Kings and Quetta Gladiators. EPA

Spectators arrive to watch the opening match of the Pakistan Super League between Karachi Kings and Quetta Gladiators in Karachi. EPA

A cricket fan, dressed up as Charlie Chaplin, at the National Stadium in Karachi. AFP

Pakistani spectators arrive to watch the opening PSL match between Karachi Kings and Quetta Gladiators. EPA

Quetta Gladiators' Chris Gayle bats at the National Stadium in Karachi. AFP

Karachi Kings wicketkeeper Joe Clarke takes a catch of Quetta Gladiators' Tom Banton. AFP

Quetta Gladiators Ben Cutting is bowled by Karachi Kings' Arshad Iqbal. AFP

Karachi Kings bowler Waqas Maqsood celebrates after taking a wicket of Quetta Gladiators' Qais Ahmed. AFP

Karachi Kings' Joe Clarke made 46 from 23 balls. AFP

The 2021 edition of the Pakistan Super League kicked off in spectacular fashion in Karachi on Saturday.

With 20 per cent crowd attendance at the National Stadium, fans in Pakistan got to enjoy some high-quality T20 action as Karachi Kings defeated Quetta Gladiators by seven wickets.

Anticipation was high as the T20 tournament began with fans allowed in limited capacity – around 7,500 which could be raised later in the tournament. What also added to the spectacle was the presence of Pakistan's new security unit that specialises in the use of roller skates while patrolling.

The action continued on the field after the opening ceremony. Karachi Kings had defeated Lahore Qalandars in the PSL final in November after the playoffs were postponed last March due to Covid-19. Three months later, the defending champions started things off with a comfortable win over 2019 winners Quetta.

Quetta's star West Indies batsman Chris Gayle hit 39 from 24 balls but his team could only manage 121 batting first. Karachi pacer Arshad Iqbal was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3-16 from his four overs.

In the chase, English wicketkeeper Joe Clarke smashed 46 from 23 balls as Karachi chased down the runs with seven wickets and 37 balls in hand.

The city of Karachi will host the first 20 league games with Lahore hosting the remaining 14 matches, including the final on March 22.