Noor-us-Sabah
The Pakistan Super League (PSL) is facing backlash over its artist selection for the 10th edition. On Tuesday, PSL confirmed Ali Zafar as the PSL anthem singer for PSL X—his fifth time performing the anthem. However, the decision sparked criticism, including from Multan Sultans’ owner Ali Khan Tareen.
Expressing his disappointment on Instagram, Tareen questioned PSL’s repeated choice of the PSL anthem singer. He wrote, “Pakistan has so many amazing artists, yet almost half of our anthems go to the same middle-aged dude, despite franchises raising concerns. They claim this will be the biggest PSL ever, yet keep recycling the same voices.”
For context, Zafar sang PSL’s first three anthems—Ab Khel Ke Dikha (2016), Ab Khel Jamay Ga (2017), and Dil Se Jaan Laga De (2018)—before returning with Khul Ke Khel in 2024. His comeback followed an earlier exclusion due to an ongoing legal dispute with singer Meesha Shafi.
A media source reported that while most franchises initially backed Zafar’s selection, opposition from one franchise led to a reconsideration. However, despite the pushback, his anthem with Aima Baig was eventually released.
Many social media users echoed Tareen’s sentiments. One X (formerly Twitter) user asked, “Is there no other singer in Pakistan?” Another remarked, “Sticking with Ali Zafar after so many PSL seasons shows how little we’ve progressed.”
Meanwhile, some dismissed the outrage. “We have 99 problems, and this isn’t one,” an Instagram user commented. Others defended Zafar’s selection but agreed PSL should introduce new voices, suggesting names like Farhan Saeed, Ali Sethi, and Shae Gill.
While PSL has yet to announce the anthem’s release date, the tournament kicks off on April 11.
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