Legendary Spanish footballer Carles Puyol was among thousands of cricket fans at the National Stadium to witness the Pakistan Super League twenty20 final on Sunday.
Puyol, a former Barcelona defender, is in the southern port city of Karachi to promote next month's exhibition matches in Pakistan.
Brazilian Kaka will be among a host of other international footballers who will be taking part in Lahore and Karachi.
Retired Barcelona soccer player Carles Puyol, center, attends the closing ceremony of the Pakistan Super League, prior to the final cricket match at National stadium in Karachi, Pakistan, Sunday, March 17, 2019. Peshawar Zalmi will play in the final against Quetta Gladiator. (AP PhotoFareed Khan)
"It's an amazing welcome, the people are very friendly. I'm very happy to be here," Puyol told a capacity crowd of 32,000 present when he was invited onto the stage during a colorful closing ceremony.
A minute's silence was observed before the closing ceremony began in memory of the 50 people killed after a gunman attacked two mosques in the deadliest mass shooting in New Zealand's history.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has hosted this year's eight PSL games in Karachi in a bid to convince foreign team to resume playing international cricket in Pakistan.
Cricket fans cheer before the start final cricket match of Pakistan Super League at National stadium in Karachi, Pakistan, Sunday, March 17, 2019. (AP PhotoFareed Khan)
Twenty six PSL games were organized in the United Arab Emirates this year, but PCB chairman Ehsan Mani said that from next year the entire PSL schedule will be staged in Pakistan.
Quetta Gladiators, led by Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, won the toss and elected to field first. Quetta which has twice lost in the final also has former Australian international Shane Watson, Rilee Rossouw of South Africa and Dwayne Bravo of the West Indies.
The 2017 PSL champion Peshawar Zalmi is led by the West Indies' Darren Sammy. Hard-hitting batsman Kieron Pollard and Chris Jordan of England will also play for Peshawar.
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