Khul Ke Khel

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"Khul Ke Khel"
Anthem cover
Promotional single by Ali Zafar and Aima Baig
LanguageUrdu
Released14 February 2024 (2024-02-14)
Recorded2024[1]
StudioLightingale
GenreStadium anthem
Length3:24
LabelLightingale
Songwriter(s)Ali Zafar
Producer(s)Ali Zafar
Shani Arshad
Pakistan Super League anthems chronology
"Sab Sitaray Humaray"
(2023) 		"Khul Ke Khel"
(2024)
Music Video
Directed bySoheb Aktar
Sonu Dangerous (dance choregorapher)
Produced byArif
Adeel Akbar
Rehan Salaam
Nouman Saleem
CinematographyAhsan Raza
Edited byZahid
Production
companies
Tryangle Productions
Karawood Studio (shoot location)
Running time
3:25[2]

"Khul Ke Khel" (Urdu: کھل کے کھیل, lit. 'Play Fearlessly'[3]) is the official anthem of the 2024 Pakistan Super League, the ninth season of Pakistan Super League. Written and produced by Ali Zafar, it is sung by him and Aima Baig.[4]

Background[edit]

Ali Zafar had continuously been a part of the league thrice since its inaugural till 2018. However, after facing harassment allegations by Meesha Shafi in 2018, he could not be the part officially again despite not being proven guilty by the law.[5]

In mid-January 2024, it was reported that Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had contacted Zafar to return this year for the anthem. He started working on three songs in November 2023 before one got finalized into planning phase. However, his contract was pulled when some franchises[a] objected that his involvement would tarnish the league's image.[9] Zafar took his X social handle for an audience poll asking the same, which sparked further speculations.[10][11]

However, days after then PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf resigned,[12] Aima Baig shared the news on 1 February through her Instagram handle that she signed in along with Zafar,[13] and the anthem title was officially revealed on 4 February with hashtag #KhulKeKhel.[14]

While Baig has performed two consecutive title anthems before in 2021 and 2022,[15] she has been a part of the league's multiple ceremonies since 2018.[16][17]

Release[edit]

The anthem was released on 14 February 2024 across multiple social media platforms.[2][18] Within two days, it topped on YouTube Music in Pakistan.[19][20]

Opening ceremony[edit]

Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, hosted its first opening ceremony for the league on 17 February 2024. Natasha Baig opened with the Leo Twins to perform "Qaumi Taranah", followed by a laser lighting display. Afterwards, Arif Lohar performed with his sons, and then Noori performed. Then, Zafar performed on all his previous anthems, followed by his collaboration with Baig for the current title anthem. The ceremony closed with the fireworks.[21][22]

Reception[edit]

The anthem received mixed reception, with people comparing it with "Ab Khel Jamay Ga" – an anthem that became a symbol for the league.[23][24][25] Manahil Tahira wrote in The Express Tribune that Zafar's latest anthem may not be new due the similar "melodic structure", which may "evoke nostalgia for whom 7 years is a long time" and may be "boredom for those who remember".[26][27] Samaa TV noted that with Zafar's "signature energy" and Baig's "captivating vocals", the anthem "captures the spirit of cricket and the passion of Pakistani fans".[28] Ameena Amin wrote for Startup Pakistan that the anthem's "upbeat tempo", "engaging lyrics", and "dynamic melody" sets an "electrifying cricket season".[29]

Soon after anthem's release, hashtag #KingIsBack was trending on X, with some people referring Zafar as the king of the cricket anthems, while others referring to Imran Khan.[30][31][32]

See also[edit]

External media
Audio
audio icon Audio on YouTube
Video
video icon Music video on YouTube

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Reportedly Multan Sultans' general manager Hijab Zahid[6][7] and Lahore Qalandars' CEO Atif Rana[8]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Ali Zafar, Aima Baig finish recording of PSL 9 anthem 'Khul Ke Khel'". Samaa TV. 7 February 2024. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  2. ^ a b "'کھل کے کھیل پیارے' پی ایس ایل 9 کا اینتھم جاری کردیا گیا" (in Urdu). ARY News. 14 February 2024. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  3. ^ "Get your dancing shoes ready: Ali Zafar hypes up his upcoming PSL anthem". The Express Tribune. 5 February 2024. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  4. ^ "'Khul Ke Khel': PCB releases official PSL 9 anthem". Geo News. 14 February 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  5. ^ Saleem Khaliq (30 January 2024). "Ali Zafar's melodic presence expected to elevate PSL 9 anthem". Cricket Pakistan. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  6. ^ Galaxy Lollywood (18 January 2024). "Ali Zafar Dropped From PSL Anthem". Retrieved 5 February 2024 – via YouTube.
  7. ^ Something Haute (20 January 2024). "Ali Zafar's Jhoom & PSL Anthem". Retrieved 5 February 2024 – via YouTube.
  8. ^ Daily Pakistan Sports (17 January 2024). "Ali Zafar dropped from PSL 9 anthem due to past harassment case". Retrieved 5 February 2024 – via Facebook.
  9. ^ Zulqernain Tahir (18 January 2024). "Franchises concerned as preparations lag behind schedule for PSL 9". Dawn. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  10. ^ "علی ظفر نے پی ایس ایل 9 کے ترانے کیلئے عوامی رائے مانگ لی". Daily Jang (in Urdu). 13 January 2024. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  11. ^ "پی ایس ایل 9 ترانہ، علی ظفر کی پولنگ معمہ بن گئی" (in Urdu). Hungama Express. 16 January 2024. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  12. ^ "Franchises concerned as preparations lag behind schedule for PSL 9". Cricket Pakistan. 2 February 2024. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  13. ^ Maheen Khawaja (2 February 2024). "Ali Zafar and Aima Baig team up for PSL 9 anthem". Daily Pakistan. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  14. ^ "'Khul Ke Khel': Ali Zafar finally shares title of PSL 9 anthem". Daily Pakistan. 5 February 2024. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  15. ^ "پی ایس ایل9، ترانے کیلئے علی ظفر اور آئمہ بیگ چُن لیے گئے" (in Urdu). Hungama Express. 2 February 2024. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  16. ^ Zeeshan Ahmed (25 March 2018). "Music and festivities as PSL 2018's grand finale kicks off in Karachi". Dawn. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  17. ^ "'Sab sitarey' descend in Multan as PSL 8 officially kicks off with glittering opening ceremony". Dawn. 13 February 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  18. ^ "'کھل کے کھیل' پی ایس ایل 9 کا آفیشل ترانہ ریلیز". Daily Dunya (in Urdu). 14 February 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  19. ^ Hello Pakistan (16 February 2024). "new PSL anthem "Khul Ke Khel" trending on number one". Retrieved 17 February 2024 – via Instagram.
  20. ^ "پی ایس ایل 9: آفیشل انتھم 'کھل کے کھیل' کے ریلیز ہوتے ہی مقبولیت کے ریکارڈ" (in Urdu). 24 News HD. 17 February 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  21. ^ Alam Zeb Safi (18 February 2024). "HBL PSL explodes into action". The News. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  22. ^ "پی ایس ایل 9 کی افتتاحی تقریب میں علی ظفر کی دھوم" (in Urdu). Express News. 18 February 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  23. ^ "Too good or too dated? Ali Zafar's new PSL anthem divides fans". The Express Tribune. 15 February 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  24. ^ Pakeeza Dar (15 February 2024). "Ali Zafar And Aima Baig's PSL Anthem Khul Ke Khel Out". Review It. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  25. ^ Huzaifa Gaba (17 February 2024). "Brandsynario's Most & Least Favorite PSL Anthems". Review It. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  26. ^ Manahil Tahira (15 February 2024). "'Khul Ke Khel': Is good old 'naach gaana' the homeground of PSL anthems?". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  27. ^ "Ali Zafar's PSL comeback with 'Khul Ke Khel' is officially here". The Express Tribune. 14 February 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  28. ^ "Excitement builds as PSL Season 9 anthem 'Khul Ke Khel' released". Samaa TV. 14 February 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  29. ^ Ameena Amin (14 February 2024). "Watch Video: PSL 9 Anthem 'Khul ke Khel' Released". Startup Pakistan. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  30. ^ Hiba Shehzad (17 February 2024). "Twitter Officially Crowned Ali Zafar As The King Of PSL Anthems!". Fuchsia Magazine. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  31. ^ "علی ظفر 'کنگ' نہیں بلکہ 'گھر کی مرغی دال برابر' ؟" (in Urdu). Bol News. 17 February 2024. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  32. ^ Something Haute (17 February 2024). "PSL Anthem; Good Or Bad?". Retrieved 17 February 2024 – via YouTube.
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