The massively anticipated Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2021 is just around the corner and hence the preparations and arrangements of the tournament are taking shape rapidly.
The PSL 6 is scheduled for a 30-day window from February 20 to March 22. The games are set to be held in Karachi and Lahore. While Karachi is set to host the first half of the competition, Lahore will be the venue for the playoffs, including the final.
The first buzz is around PSL anthem, featuring Aima Baig, Naseebo Lal and Young Stunners. The anthem got a mixed reaction from the fans, while much-appreciated from the celebrity circle. Let’s have a look into PSL anthem and public reactions.
The Anthem
Pakistan Super League (PSL) brings cricket as well as the craziness of anthem. Many Pakistani fans expressed their disappointment over the new anthem of PSL 6, featuring Aima Baig, Naseebo Lal and Young Stunners.
Titled Groove Mera, the anthem is a mix of the traditional vocals of Naseebo Lal, rap by the Young Stunners, Aima Baig’s power vocals and a catchy beat. Video director by Fida Moin has definitely upped his game.
The track itself starts with Naseebo Lal’s strong vocals. We go on to see Aima Baig who, in her quintessential style, delivers powerful vocals. Then we see Young Stunners making an entrance as they rap their way into the song.
The music video also featured people watching matches on TVs, mobile phones and laptops, emphasising how this year’s PSL will be different because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The artists, cricketers and the audience were seen in separate settings to keep social distancing in mind.
The Reaction
Twitter was divided over the song, with some people reminiscing about Ali Zafar’s anthem yet again and others enjoying how catchy the PSL 2021 version is. Some simply couldn’t decipher the words and many questioned the lyrics.
I wish I could unhear this#psl6anthem pic.twitter.com/ZPDF7YbKK1
— نمی دانم✨ (@ChAlO_NiKLo_) February 6, 2021
My mom kicked me out from my house with the T.V After I played this song ????#AliZafar
#psl6anthem pic.twitter.com/pmZaoa3FoH— F A ح A D.. ???? (@Ziddi_bOy_) February 7, 2021
Sara Song 1 Trf Or Is Bndi Ka Level 1 Trf ????♥️ #psl6anthem #groovemera #AimaBaig pic.twitter.com/EsgoaKePi3
— کشمل شہزاد ???? (@kshii_here) February 7, 2021
Finally found grooves ????????????#pslanthem2021 pic.twitter.com/lH2vNS6bnR
— PeerOff (@SyllabusKarwaDo) February 7, 2021
Celebrities defend anthem
After a mixed but hard reaction from the fans on PSL anthem, Pakistani celebrities came forward to defend the anthem.
Idk what the fuss is abt? I loved the new #pslanthem2021 .It was bold & fresh! This is what stifles creativity in our country,we always want more of the same & not prepared to accept anything different.This bashing has to stop. We need a diversity of voices & ideas.Well done PSL! https://t.co/hYMuZqkx8D
— Mehwish Hayat TI (@MehwishHayat) February 7, 2021
Why do we always have to bash the #pslanthem ????????♂️? has it become a ritual ????? #GrooveMera has a nice stadium anthem vibe to it, ????????
I LIKE IT !! ???????? remember putting up a show #PSL6 in these times is not easy so let’s show some respect and support ???? coz the world is watching us !!— Mirza Gohar (@GoharRsd) February 7, 2021
#NaseeboLal is a Queen whom we don’t cherish and celebrate enough. Thank yourself @thePSLt20 for featuring her, her vocals brought the house down. https://t.co/3tGP4C5Kec
— M. Jibran Nasir (@MJibranNasir) February 6, 2021
Personally, I love it – especially Naseebo Lal https://t.co/4jMZU3Uwm7
— fatima bhutto (@fbhutto) February 7, 2021
Last year’s anthem controversy
Last year, fans were left disappointed with Asim Azhar, Ali Azmat and Haroon Shahid’s PSL track, Tayyar Hain. The star-studded collaboration failed to impress the fans, resulting in poking fun at the track.
Angry PSL fans took out their frustrations over Twitter and claimed how Ali Zafar had created a much better anthem previously.
This reaction managed to reach Ali Azmat, who voiced his opinion on a popular TV show, claiming that his ‘rivals’ (pointing at Ali Zafar) had paid bloggers to spread hatred about his new song. Later, Ali Zafar made a PSL song which was appreciated by the fans.
Azhar wrote, “As a crazy cricket fan, I really understand the importance that cricket and PSL hold for my fellow Pakistanis. With that being said, I’m sorry to those fans, whose expectations I couldn’t meet. I know you guys wait long enough for this time of the year.”
So does the anthem really deserve the bashing? Listen to the song and decide for yourself.
