Khul Ke Khel

"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
SongwriterAli Zafar
ProducersAli Zafar
Shani Arshad
Pakistan Super League anthems chronology
"Sab Sitaray Humaray"
(2023)		 "Khul Ke Khel"
(2024)		 "X Dekho"
(2025)
Music Video
Directed bySoheb Aktar
Sonu Dangerous (dance choreographer)
Produced byArif
Adeel Akbar
Rehan Salaam
Nouman Saleem
CinematographyAhsan Raza
Edited byZahid
Production
companies
Tryangle Productions
Karawood Studio (shoot location)
Release date
  • 2024 (2024)
Running time
3:25[2]

"Khul Ke Khel" (Urdu: کھل کے کھیل, lit. 'Play Fearlessly'[3]) is a 2024 Urdu-language song from Pakistan, written and produced by Ali Zafar, and performed by him and Aima Baig. It served as the official anthem of the ninth season of the Pakistan Super League.

Zafar returned to with a PSL anthem after six years, while Baig is a frequent collaborator, and the anthem became one of the trending topics on social media. Opening ceremony was held in Lahore for the first time, where Zafar performed his previous anthems as well, noted to be classic.

Background and release

Ali Zafar
Aima Baig
Anthem artists

Ali Zafar had continuously been a part of the league thrice since its inaugural till 2018. However, due to the legal battle of Ali Zafar vs. Meesha Shafi, he could not be the part officially again after 2018.[4]

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.[8] Zafar took his X social handle for an audience poll asking the same, which sparked further speculations.[9][10]

However, days after then PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf resigned,[11] Aima Baig shared the news on 1 February through her Instagram handle that she signed in along with Zafar,[12] and the anthem title was officially revealed on 4 February with hashtag #KhulKeKhel.[13] While Baig has performed two consecutive title anthems before in 2021 and 2022,[14] she has been a part of the league's multiple ceremonies since 2018.[15][16]

The anthem was released on 14 February 2024 across multiple social media platforms.[2][17]

Opening ceremony

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.[18][19]

Reception

Within two days of release, the anthem topped on YouTube Music in Pakistan,[20][21] and hashtag #KingIsBack started trending on X, with some people referring Zafar as the king of the cricket anthems, while others referring to Imran Khan.[22][23]

The Express Tribune reported that the anthem received mixed reception, with people comparing it with "Ab Khel Jamay Ga".[24] 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".[25][26] 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".[27] Ameena Amin wrote for Startup Pakistan that the anthem's "upbeat tempo", "engaging lyrics", and "dynamic melody" sets an "electrifying cricket season".[28] Hamna Farrukh of Synergyzer praised the anthem by writing that the "music checks the right boxes; the lyrics align with the song's overall vibe", however, criticised the inclusion of Aima Baig.[29]

Cricket journalists like Qadir Khawaja called it ok but not so special,[30] while Ahmer Najeeb called it a "great, energetic, vibrant" anthem.[31] While Arfa Feroz disapproved it to be "a cricket material" and called it "a failed attempt to relive" the "standard" of "previous PSL anthems by" Zafar,[32] Omair Alavi called it his third favourite anthem for PSL behind Zafar's previous anthems,[33] while Imran Siddique regarded it as "the second best song of PSL history".[34] A reviewer in Dawn noted the anthem's "cheerleading lyrics", "a groovy beat", and "cool vocals", but "a little too Bollywoody" choreography.[35] Azhar Khan of The Nation remarked the performances of the singers at the opening ceremony as the highlight and electrifying.[34] Ahmer Naqvi of Dunya Digital and Ali A. Rizvi of The Jungle Today criticised the repetition of similar lyrics and music from Zafar's previous anthems. While Naqvi noted the "torturous level of non-verbal choruses", Rizvi called it "the nostalgia trap" that denies "creative strategy".[36][37]

See also

External media
Audio
audio icon Audio on YouTube
Video
video icon Music video on YouTube
video icon Opening ceremony performance on YouTube

Notes

  1. ↑ Reportedly Multan Sultans' general manager Hijab Zahid[5][6] and Lahore Qalandars' CEO Atif Rana[7]

References

  1. ↑ "Ali Zafar, Aima Baig finish recording of PSL 9 anthem 'Khul Ke Khel'". Samaa TV. 7 February 2024. Archived from the original on 14 February 2024. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  2. 1 2 "'کھل کے کھیل پیارے' پی ایس ایل 9 کا اینتھم جاری کردیا گیا" (in Urdu). ARY News. 14 February 2024. Archived from the original on 25 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. ↑ Saleem Khaliq (30 January 2024). "Ali Zafar's melodic presence expected to elevate PSL 9 anthem". Cricket Pakistan. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  5. ↑ Galaxy Lollywood (18 January 2024). "Ali Zafar Dropped From PSL Anthem". Retrieved 5 February 2024 – via YouTube.
  6. ↑ Something Haute (20 January 2024). "Ali Zafar's Jhoom & PSL Anthem". Archived from the original on 14 February 2024. Retrieved 5 February 2024 – via YouTube.
  7. ↑ Daily Pakistan Sports (17 January 2024). "Ali Zafar dropped from PSL 9 anthem due to past harassment case". Retrieved 5 February 2024 – via Facebook.
  8. ↑ Zulqernain Tahir (18 January 2024). "Franchises concerned as preparations lag behind schedule for PSL 9". Dawn. Archived from the original on 1 February 2024. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  9. ↑ "علی ظفر نے پی ایس ایل 9 کے ترانے کیلئے عوامی رائے مانگ لی". Daily Jang (in Urdu). 13 January 2024. Archived from the original on 31 January 2024. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  10. ↑ "پی ایس ایل 9 ترانہ، علی ظفر کی پولنگ معمہ بن گئی" (in Urdu). Hungama Express. 16 January 2024. Archived from the original on 14 February 2024. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  11. ↑ "Franchises concerned as preparations lag behind schedule for PSL 9". Cricket Pakistan. 2 February 2024. Archived from the original on 2 February 2024. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  12. ↑ Maheen Khawaja (2 February 2024). "Ali Zafar and Aima Baig team up for PSL 9 anthem". Daily Pakistan. Archived from the original on 14 February 2024. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  13. ↑ "'Khul Ke Khel': Ali Zafar finally shares title of PSL 9 anthem". Daily Pakistan. 5 February 2024. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  14. ↑ "پی ایس ایل9، ترانے کیلئے علی ظفر اور آئمہ بیگ چُن لیے گئے" (in Urdu). Hungama Express. 2 February 2024. Archived from the original on 5 February 2024. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  15. ↑ Zeeshan Ahmed (25 March 2018). "Music and festivities as PSL 2018's grand finale kicks off in Karachi". Dawn. Archived from the original on 20 April 2024. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  16. ↑ "'Sab sitarey' descend in Multan as PSL 8 officially kicks off with glittering opening ceremony". Dawn. 13 February 2023. Archived from the original on 14 February 2024. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  17. ↑ "'کھل کے کھیل' پی ایس ایل 9 کا آفیشل ترانہ ریلیز". Daily Dunya (in Urdu). 14 February 2024. Archived from the original on 19 February 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  18. ↑ Alam Zeb Safi (18 February 2024). "HBL PSL explodes into action". The News. Archived from the original on 19 February 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  19. ↑ "پی ایس ایل 9 کی افتتاحی تقریب میں علی ظفر کی دھوم" (in Urdu). Express News. 18 February 2024. Archived from the original on 19 February 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  20. ↑ Hello Pakistan (16 February 2024). "new PSL anthem "Khul Ke Khel" trending on number one". Retrieved 17 February 2024 – via Instagram.
  21. ↑ "پی ایس ایل 9: آفیشل انتھم 'کھل کے کھیل' کے ریلیز ہوتے ہی مقبولیت کے ریکارڈ" (in Urdu). 24 News HD. 17 February 2024. Archived from the original on 19 February 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  22. ↑ "علی ظفر 'کنگ' نہیں بلکہ 'گھر کی مرغی دال برابر' ؟" (in Urdu). Bol News. 17 February 2024. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  23. ↑ Something Haute (17 February 2024). "PSL Anthem; Good Or Bad?". Archived from the original on 17 February 2024. Retrieved 17 February 2024 – via YouTube.
  24. ↑ "Too good or too dated? Ali Zafar's new PSL anthem divides fans". The Express Tribune. 15 February 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  25. ↑ Manahil Tahira (15 February 2024). "'Khul Ke Khel': Is good old 'naach gaana' the homeground of PSL anthems?". The Express Tribune. Archived from the original on 1 December 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  26. ↑ "Ali Zafar's PSL comeback with 'Khul Ke Khel' is officially here". The Express Tribune. 14 February 2024. Archived from the original on 1 December 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  27. ↑ "Excitement builds as PSL Season 9 anthem 'Khul Ke Khel' released". Samaa TV. 14 February 2024. Archived from the original on 15 February 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  28. ↑ Ameena Amin (14 February 2024). "Watch Video: PSL 9 Anthem 'Khul ke Khel' Released". Startup Pakistan. Archived from the original on 15 February 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  29. ↑ Hamna Farrukh (15 February 2024). "Chaotic Ranting – Scrutinizing HBL PSL 9 Anthem". Synergyzer. Retrieved 1 August 2026.
  30. ↑ @iamqadirkhawaja (14 February 2024). "مجھے تو بس ٹھیک لگا اتنا خاص نہیں لگا" (Tweet). Retrieved 22 April 2026 – via X (formerly Twitter).
  31. ↑ @AhmerNajeeb (14 February 2024). "Your thoughts on PSL 9 Anthem?" (Tweet). Retrieved 23 April 2026 – via X (formerly Twitter).
  32. ↑ @ArfaSays_ (14 February 2024). "HONEST REVIEW - PSL9 anthem "Khul Ke Khel"" (Tweet). Retrieved 22 April 2026 – via X (formerly Twitter).
  33. ↑ @omair78 (14 February 2024). "The new one KHUL KE KHEL comes third on the list" (Tweet). Retrieved 22 April 2026 – via X (formerly Twitter).
  34. 1 2 Azhar Khan (17 February 2024). "Electric atmosphere at Gaddafi Stadium as PSL 9 opening ceremony wows cricket fans". The Nation. Retrieved 29 July 2026.
  35. ↑ "The Grapevine". Dawn. 25 February 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  36. ↑ Ahmer Naqvi (27 March 2025). "Pakistan's Cricket Anthems: A Love Song by Another Name (Part 2)". Dunya Digital. Retrieved 26 July 2026.
  37. ↑ Ali A. Rizvi (3 April 2026). "Eleven Years of PSL Anthems: The Good, The Bad, and The Unforgivably Mediocre". The Jungle Today. Retrieved 26 July 2026.
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