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Which PSL anthem do fans like best?

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The recently-released anthem for the eighth season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) has received mixed reactions on social media as fans share their love for the previous anthems. 

Curious to see which of the songs was the most loved by fans, Geo Super conducted a poll on its Facebook and Twitter accounts, and the numbers are in. 

Summary

Of the 661 people who voted at the time of publication of this story, an overwhelming majority felt that the best songs were released during what they called the “Ali Zafar era” of the first three seasons of the PSL during 2016 and 2018.

The second place was also given to Ali Zafar for his song Ab khel jamay ga, which many felt was the “OG PSL anthem” that set the bar so high that nothing else compared. 

Following this were the songs of the PSL 3, 4, 1, 7, 6, 5 and 8 respectively.

Complete breakdown 

An undated photograph of Ali Zafar during a concert. — Instagram/Ali Zafar
An undated photograph of Ali Zafar during a concert. — Instagram/Ali Zafar

The fans have spoken. There seems to be no space for a second opinion that despite the passage of time, fans are not likely to forget the “Ali Zafar era” any time soon. Of the 661 people who participated in the poll, 242 people claimed that all of Ali Zafar’s songs were their favourite. After that, many felt, the songs just didn’t meet the level set by Zafar’s anthems.   

A screengrab of the official PSL season 2 anthem. — Youtube/@PakistanSuperLeagueOfficial
A screengrab of the official PSL season 2 anthem. — Youtube/@PakistanSuperLeagueOfficial

An astounding 236 people claimed that their favourite anthem was the one released in 2017. This song — also sung by Ali Zafar — was felt by many to be the one that best matched the spirit and fervour of the PSL.  It has, in fact, become the unofficial tune of cricket in Pakistan.

A screengrab of the official PSL season 3 anthem. — Youtube/@PakistanSuperLeagueOfficial
A screengrab of the official PSL season 3 anthem. — Youtube/@PakistanSuperLeagueOfficial

Not surprisingly, the next anthem on the list was another Ali Zafar song, which was released as the official anthem for the PSL 3 in 2018. 47 people voted for Dil Se Jaan Laga De as their most loved anthem. 

A screengrab of the official PSL season 4 anthem. — Youtube/@PakistanSuperLeagueOfficial
A screengrab of the official PSL season 4 anthem. — Youtube/@PakistanSuperLeagueOfficial

Following the anthems sung by Ali Zafar, another fan-favourite was the 2019 anthem voiced by none other than the Pakistani heartthrob Fawad Khan. The anthem Khel Deewano Ka won 40 votes, and certainly seemed to have captured the PSL spirit with its catchy music and Fawad’s energetic performance. 

A screengrab of the official PSL season 1 anthem. — Youtube/@PakistanSuperLeagueOfficial
A screengrab of the official PSL season 1 anthem. — Youtube/@PakistanSuperLeagueOfficial

The fifth position in the poll was given to yet another song by much-loved Ali Zafar as 29 people voted for the first-ever PSL anthem to be their favourite. This brings the total count of votes in Zafar’s favour to an amazing 554 out of 661 votes.

A screengrab of the official PSL season 7 anthem. — Youtube/@PakistanSuperLeagueOfficial
A screengrab of the official PSL season 7 anthem. — Youtube/@PakistanSuperLeagueOfficial

With Ali Zafar’s songs established as the most loved of all, 26 people also voted in favour of the anthem sung by singing sensations Atif Aslam and Aima Baig. 

The song, Agay Dekh was produced by Abdullah Siddiqui — who also produced the anthem for 2023. A statement issued by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) last year said: Agay Dekh urges audiences to look beyond binaries of victory and defeat, and enjoy the game in its purest essence… the anthem pays tribute to everyone who waits excitedly for this time of year.”

— Twitter
— Twitter

The next anthem in line is Groove Merawhich featured Naseebo Lal, Aima Baig, and Young Stunners, and was the official anthem for the PSL 6. 17 of the voters pegged this anthem as their favourite.

Fans, although initially divided about the song, eventually came to love it and it has since gained many fans. 

A screengrab of the official PSL season 5 anthem. — Youtube/@PakistanSuperLeagueOfficial
A screengrab of the official PSL season 5 anthem. — Youtube/@PakistanSuperLeagueOfficial

Next in line was the PSL 2020 anthem, which was performed by some of Pakistan’s greatest singing sensations. With 16 votes, this song almost ties in with Groove Mera. 

Sung by Ali Azmat, Arif Lohar, Haroon Rashid and Asim Azhar, Tayyar Hain celebrates the homecoming of the T20 league, as it was the first season in which all matches were played in Pakistan.

— Twitter
— Twitter

Finishing up last, with 8 votes, was the latest anthem featuring Asim Azhar, Shae Gill and Faris Shafi. However, the low rating is understandable given the fact that it is still new and fans are yet to get into the rhythm of this anthem. It is well expected that as the season progresses and fans grow to attribute this song to the PSL, they will grow to love this too.

Pakistan

Jason Gillespie and Gary Kirsten discuss their candidacies as Pakistan’s next coaches.

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At a news conference held here today, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi announced the appointments.

After finishing his duty in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), Kirsten will assume leadership as the head coach of Pakistan’s ODI and T20I teams.

Kirsten will be in charge of the team for the following year’s ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan, ACC T20 Asia Cup in 2025, and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka in addition to the forthcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 and other bilateral white-ball series.

“It’s an incredible privilege to be given the job of leading the Pakistan men’s national team in white-ball cricket and to return to the world of international cricket after a long absence,” Kirsten said.

“I’m excited about the chance to support the Pakistan men’s national team in limited-overs cricket and hope to make a positive impact.”

“My aim is to bring the Pakistan men’s white-ball team together, utilizing their exceptional abilities to work toward a single goal and succeeding as a team on the pitch.

“Over time, my viewpoint on Pakistani cricket has not changed. The squad is constantly expected to perform at a high standard on a regular basis.

But in team sports, it’s not always easy to stay at the top of your game. It gives me great satisfaction as a coach to see players reach their greatest potential.

“I look forward to working with each player individually and as a team to support their development.”

In the interim, Gillespie will take over for the August home Test matches in the ICC World Test Championship against Bangladesh. In the 2024–25 season, there will also be tests at home in October against England and away in December against South Africa.

“I express my gratitude to the PCB for their belief in my abilities and for granting me the privilege of leading one of the most esteemed and accomplished cricket teams in the conventional format of the game,” Gillespie said.

“Given its illustrious history and fervent fan base, coaching the Pakistan cricket team is an enormous accomplishment for any coach.

I enjoy being able to concentrate on Test cricket because I adore the sport. The fact that Pakistan has such a large talent pool is another thing I adore.

“I like to think that I can contribute in some small manner to the players’ development. I’m taking this role because I want to win tests. I enjoy winning, and I’m confident we have what it takes to succeed.

In the end, it all comes down to playing the kind of cricket we want to play—a style that wins games for us, thrills the crowd, and makes everyone associated with Pakistani cricket happy.

“We have some excellent fast bowlers in Pakistan, and making use of them will be crucial to any success we have.”

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Saying goodbye to international cricket, Bismah Maroof

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The decision to leave international cricket was made by Pakistani women’s cricket player Bismah Maroof on Thursday.

According to details, Maroof declared, “I am choosing to say goodbye to the sport, which I really enjoy. I have had a really memorable cricket journey.”

Saying, “The PCB, companions, family, and fans have always supported me,” she highlighted the importance of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and fans to her career.

With an average of 29.55, Maroof had scored 3369 runs in 136 WODIs while playing for Pakistan.

Throughout 140 WT20Is, Maroof averaged 27.55 and scored 2893 runs.

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For the Pakistani team’s T20I against New Zealand, Haseebullah has replaced Azam Khan.

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In a brief press release, PCB said, “The national selection committee has announced wicketkeeper/batter Haseebullah as the replacement player for Azam Khan, who was sidelined from the T20I series against New Zealand due to a tear in his right calf muscle.”

The information indicates that Haseebullah will become a member of the Pakistan team following the third Twenty20 International, and he will be eligible to be selected for the two remaining Twenty20 Internationals, which are slated to take place in Lahore on Thursday and Saturday, respectively.

Earlier in the year, Haseebullah, 21, played in his only Twenty20 international match against New Zealand.

or the unfamiliar, Azam Khan was declared out of the whole series on Saturday after missing the first Twenty20 International because of pain in his right knee and right calf muscle.

According to PCB, “Azam Khan has been advised to undergo a 10-day rest following radiology reports confirming a Grade One tear of his right calf muscle.”

The announcement also stated, “Azam will therefore be unable to take part in the current Twenty20 International series against New Zealand, which concludes in Lahore on April 27.”

Notably, Mark Chapman’s incredible innings helped the visitors to an easy seven-wicket victory in the third Twenty20 International, tying the five-match series between Pakistan and New Zealand at one.

Pakistan team for the Twenty20 Internationals in New Zealand

Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saim Ayub, Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Babar Azam (c), Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Amir, Abbas Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Fakhar Zaman, Irfan Khan Niazi, Usama Mir, Zaman Khan

Mohammad Ali, Agha Salman, Sahibzada Farhan, and Muhammad Wasim Jr. are the reserve players.

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