Sports

Which PSL anthem do fans like best?

Published

1 month ago

Farwa

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.”

The next anthem in line is Groove Mera, which 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

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.

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.

Entertainment

WATCH: Babar Azam becomes youngest cricketer to receive Sitara-e-Imtiaz

Published

6 days ago

Farwa

Pakistan captain Babar Azam on Thursday became the youngest cricketer to be conferred with the country’s third-highest civilian award Sitara-e-Imtiaz.

Pakistan’s all-format captain Babar was conferred with the award by Governor Baligh Ur Rehman at an investiture ceremony held at the Punjab Governor House as part of Pakistan Day celebrations.

With the conferment of the award, Babar has become the youngest cricketer to be awarded Sitara-e-Imtiaz at the age of 28 for his outstanding achievements in the field of sports.

Immense honour to have received Sitara-e-Imtiaz in the presence of my mother and father.

This award is for my parents, fans and the people of 🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/Gafwlu3rUC
— Babar Azam (@babarazam258) March 23, 2023

The skipper called it an “immense honour” to receives the award in the presence of his parrents.

“This award is for my parents, fans and the people of Pakistan,” he tweeted.

Previously, Babar’s predecessor Sarfaraz Ahmed held the record as the youngest cricketer to be awarded the Sitara-e-Imtiaz.

Sarfaraz, who led Pakistan to the Champions Trophy title in 2017, was conferred with the award by then Sindh governor Mohammad Zubair at the Governor House in Karachi in 2018.

Last year on August 14, the government announced that it will be conferring Babar with the country’s third-highest civilian honour.

Babar made his debut in international cricket in May 2015 against Zimbabwe. His performances eventually led debuts to T20Is and Tests in 2016.

In 47 Tests, Babar has scored 3,696 runs with an average of 48.63, while in 95 ODI’s Babar has scored 4,813 runs at an average of 59.41. In 99 T20Is, Babar has amassed 3,355 runs at an average of 41.41.

Babar, in his ongoing cricket career, has won multiple awards including ICC Men’s ODI Player of the Year, Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy. Under his captaincy, Pakistan defeated India for the first time in a world cup match and also reached the finals of the last T20 world cup.

Apart from Babar and Sarfaraz other cricketers that have received the award include Misbah-ul-Haq, Younis Khan, and Shahid Afridi for their outstanding contributions.

While Mohammad Yousuf received the award in 2011, Saeed Ajmal in 2015, Inzamam ul Haq in 2005 and Javed Miandad in 1992.

Sports

‘Dirty politics’: Shaheen comes out in defence of Shahid Afridi

Published

1 week ago

Farwa

Star pacer Shaheen Afridi has come out in defence of his father-in-law Shahid Afridi who has been dragged into “dirty politics” by a fake statement about former prime minister Imran Khan.

“I request you all to only think about Pakistan. We should not indulge ourselves into any act which divides us further,” the Pakistani cricketer said in a statement, sharing a video statement of Shahid Afridi.

“Hum Sab ko apni apni fields me positive reh ker Pakistan ka haq Ada kerna hoga. Pakistan Noor hai or Allah pak is Noor Ki Hamesha hifazat farmayain ge, Ameen.”

I request you all to only think about Pakistan. We should not indulge ourselves into any act which divides us further. Hum Sab ko apni apni fields me positive reh ker Pakistan ka haq Ada kerna hoga. Pakistan Noor hai or Allah pak is Noor Ki Hamesha hifazat farmayain ge, Ameen. https://t.co/ZCUp6CPZi4
— Shaheen Shah Afridi (@iShaheenAfridi) March 19, 2023

Earlier, in a hard-hitting video statement, the former Pakistani captain Shahid Afridi slammed those dragging him in their “dirty politics”.

pic.twitter.com/e4aHS1WgIH
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) March 19, 2023

“I am observing since yesterday that a statement is being shared on social media under my name about former prime minister Imran Khan is very sad news. Whoever is doing this, is indulging in very dirty politics. Neither I want to be part of this activity nor I am involved in this.”

The former chief selector, in a visibly angry mood, said that he had the courage to say whatever he wants to say.

“I never made any such statement anywhere on my social media. So please don’t involve me in this dirty politics. Aap ko apki siasat mubarak ho. My only politics is to serve this nation.”

Sports

Pak vs NZ: PCB revises schedule of New Zealand’s tour to Pakistan

Published

1 week ago

Farwa

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday revised the schedule of the limited-overs tour of New Zealand to Pakistan due to “elections in Punjab”.

The Blackcaps are scheduled to play five ODIs and five T20Is with the PCB and New Zealand Cricket “unanimously” agreeing to make “tweaks” to the tour, the board said in a statement today.

According to sources, the itinerary was changed due to the upcoming general elections in Punjab scheduled on April 30.

As per the new schedule, New Zealand will arrive in Lahore and play three T20Is from April 14-17, before traveling to Rawalpindi where the final two T20Is and first ODI will be played from April 20-26.

The tour will end in Karachi with the remaining four ODIs to be played from April 30-May 7.

The PCB said that this is an additional tour by the New Zealand cricket team and the matches will count towards ICC Team Rankings.

The ODIs will also help Pakistan to prepare their side for the Asia Cup and ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, while the T20I will assist the PCB to continue with their rebuilding of the side for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, which will be held in the USA and West Indies in June/July 2024.