The year 2016 marked the launch of the inaugural season of the Pakistan Super League. The season was played in the UAE due to the ban on cricket in Pakistan that was imposed after the attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in 2009. The season featured five teams namely Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, Quetta Gladiators, Peshawar Zalmi, and Lahore Qalandars. The tournament's inaugural ceremony was hosted by Yasir Hussain and Sri Lankan model Stephanie Siriwardhana. It featured both local and international celebrities including Ali Zafar, Sean Paul, Mohib Mirza, and others.