X Dekho

"X Dekho"
Anthem cover
Promotional single by various artists
LanguageUrdu
Punjabi
English
Released2 April 2025 (2025-04-02)
Recorded2025
StudioLightingale
GenreStadium anthem
Length3:44
LabelLightingale
SongwritersAli Zafar
Abrar Ul Haq
Talha Anjum
ProducersAli Zafar
Ali Mustafa
Pakistan Super League anthems chronology
"Khul Ke Khel"
(2024)		 "X Dekho"
(2025)		 "Khelenge Beat Pe"
(2026)
Music Video
Directed byBabar Sheikh
Rameez Khokar (choreographer)
Produced bySumair Tariq
Merium Yousuf
CinematographyAbu Bakr
Talha
Edited byMishal Yousuf
Production
company
Khayal Films
Release date
  • 2025 (2025)
Running time
3:48

"X Dekho" (transl. Watch Decade) is a 2025 song from Pakistan, recorded and produced at Lightingale Records. Performed by Ali Zafar, Abrar Ul Haq, Talha Anjum, and Natasha Baig. A primarily Urdu-language with some Punjabi lyrics, it served as the official anthem of the tenth season of the Pakistan Super League.

Background and release

On 23 March 2025, it was reported that the season's anthem was in the final stage of preparation.[1] Two days later, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced that Ali Zafar had joined in for the fifth time to record and release the anthem. However, Multan Sultans' owner Ali Tareen showed disappointment upon Zafar's repeated selection, stating to use other artists instead.[2][3] Soon after, the artist line-up was revealed. CEO PSL Salman Naseer said that these four artist will reflect four genres and vocal ranges from Pakistan, and the anthem is designed to celebrate the decade of the league.[4]

While Talha Anjum was previously featured in the anthem for the sixth season,[5] Abrar Ul Haq and Natasha Baig are debuting.[6] Baig told The News that the reason PCB turns to Zafar is that the fans have consistently connected with his anthems making it his legacy. She showed excitement for strong female representation in the anthem.[7]

The anthem was released on 2 April 2025 across multiple social media platforms.[8][9]

Reception

The anthem drew mixed reactions, with critics and audiences acknowledging some of its strong elements but criticising its execution.[a] While some praised the artists collaboration,[10] many argued it failed to meet expectations as a "decade-defining"[10] track despite pre-release hype.[12] While some noted Ali Zafar's dominant role,[10][11] yet others argued his performance did not match his earlier anthem standards.[9][12][13] Uneven contributions were highlighted, particularly Natasha Baig's limited vocal presence.[10][11] While some solely praised Talha Anjum's rap segment and Abrar Ul Haq's Punjabi segment,[12][13] others criticized their presence as disjointed rather than integrated.[10][12] The anthem's reliance on Punjabi lyrics and minimal regional representation sparked debates about its reflection of nationwide identity.[9][10] Additionally, the title phrase was questioned for its thematic relevance to cricket.[10]

A reviewer in Dawn concluded that the anthem lacks the "X factor" by leaving a desire of being an "ear-worm" required for "firing up the blood", despite its "usual upbeat rhythm", and "fails to be memorable".[14] Ali A. Rizvi of The Jungle Today remarked it as "a decade-defining anthem that defined nothing".[15]

Opening ceremony

On 11 April 2025, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium hosted its first ever ceremony for the league's tenth season. Zainab Abbas presented the show, while Hamza Ali Abbasi delivered a speech. It was opened by a jet pack flyer, who handed the tournament's trophy to Salman Naseer on stage. The ceremony included "Qaumi Taranah" rendered by children from Surtaal Music Academy, Sufi performance by Abida Parveen, rap show by Young Stunners, and cultural act by Ali Zafar. Next, the title anthem was played with Zafar, Natasha Baig, Talha Anjum, and Abrar Ul Haq taking stage. The show was closed by fireworks.[b]

See also

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

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Pieces of information and commentary for this paragraph are gathered from Dunya News,[9] The Express Tribune,[10] Daily Times,[11] Brandsynario,[12] and Behtareen.[13]
  2. ↑ Pieces of information are gathered from Geo News,[16] Daily Pakistan,[17] Hum News,[18] and The Express Tribune.[19]

References

  1. ↑ Saleem Khaliq (23 March 2025). "PSL set to become separate company". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
  2. ↑ "Multan Sultans' Ali Tareen slams PSL for letting 'same middle-aged dude' helm its official anthem". Dawn Images. 26 March 2025. Retrieved 2 April 2025.
  3. ↑ "Ali Zafar to sing anthem for PSL 10". 24 News HD. 25 March 2025. Retrieved 2 April 2025.
  4. ↑ "HBL PSL X anthem released, featuring first-timers". The Express Tribune. 2 April 2025. Retrieved 2 April 2025.
  5. ↑ "PSL 2021 songs: Which anthem is the catchiest of them all?". Geo Super. 20 February 2021. Archived from the original on 14 February 2023. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
  6. ↑ "PSL 2025 anthem X Dekho to be released on Wednesday". Geo Super. 1 April 2025. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
  7. ↑ Maheen Sabeeh (6 April 2025). "In conversation with Natasha Baig". The News. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
  8. ↑ "PSL 10 anthem 'X Dekho' to be released today". Cricket Pakistan. 2 April 2025. Archived from the original on 1 April 2025. Retrieved 2 April 2025.
  9. 1 2 3 4 "PSL 10 anthem fails to impress fans". Dunya News. 4 April 2025. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Seeking the X in PSL 10 anthem". The Express Tribune. 3 April 2025. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
  11. 1 2 3 "PSL 10 anthem "X dekho" falls short of expectations". Daily Times. 3 April 2025. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 Huzaifa Gaba (3 April 2025). "PSL 10 Anthem 'X Dekho' Fails to Impress Fans". Brandsynario. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
  13. 1 2 3 Amara Hanif (4 April 2025). "PSL 10 Anthem "X Dekho" Divides Fans: Is It a Hit or Miss?". Behtareen. Archived from the original on 22 April 2025. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
  14. ↑ "The Grapevine". Dawn. 13 April 2025. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  15. ↑ 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.
  16. ↑ "PCB unveils PSL X opening ceremony venue". Geo News. 9 April 2025. Retrieved 11 April 2025.
  17. ↑ "PSL X kicks off with scintillating opening ceremony". Daily Pakistan. 11 April 2025. Retrieved 11 April 2025.
  18. ↑ "Spectacular opening ceremony of PSL 10 held at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium". Hum News. 11 April 2025. Retrieved 11 April 2025.
  19. ↑ "HBL PSL X kicks off in style with star-studded opening ceremony in Rawalpindi". The Express Tribune. 11 April 2025. Retrieved 11 April 2025.
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