Season nine of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) is just one month away with fans anticipating who will sing the anthem this time around.
Renowned Pakistani musician and actor, Ali Zafar sang the anthem for the first three seasons.
In 2016, Ali Zafar sang and produced "Ab Khel Ke Dikha". The following year, the anthem "Ab Khel Jamay Ga" was released while in 2018, "Dil Se Jaan Laga De" was the anthem for the season.
Fawad Khan and Young Desi joined forces for the 2019 anthem titled "Khel Deewano Ka," written by Shuja Haider
"Tayyar Hain" in 2020 featured the collective talents of Ali Azmat, Haroon, Asim Azhar, and Arif Lohar.
The 2021 anthem, "Groove Mera," brought together Aima Baig, Naseebo Lal, and Young Stunners, capturing the essence of the game.
"Agay Dekh" in 2022 showcased Atif Aslam and Aima Baig's musical prowess, with lyrics by Abdullah Siddiqui and Natasha Noorani.
The 2023 anthem, "Sab Sitaray Humaray," features Asim Azhar, Shae Gill, and Faris Shafi, who took the honours.
Meanwhile, Ali Zafar posted on X (formerly Twitter) and openly questioned the potential impact of his involvement in creating the anthem for the PSL this year and asked people to vote.
He sought honest opinions from the public, pondering whether such a contribution would bolster the image of both the PSL and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), strengthen the connection with the audience, and generate increased financial benefits for all stakeholders.
Zafar expressed a lack of ego and emphasised his genuine interest in understanding the sentiments and preferences of the people of Pakistan, contrasting them with the perspectives of a select few individuals holding influential or authoritative positions.
In another post, he stressed that he will give an explanation of this post later and urge people to vote only.
Earlier, PCB released the schedule of PSL 9 which is set to commence on February 17, 2024 at the PCB’s headquarters in Lahore. The opening match will feature the two-time champions and current titleholders, Lahore Qalandars, facing off against Islamabad United, winners of the 2016 and 2018 editions.
Schedule of PSL 9 Matches
February 17, 2024 Lahore Qalandars v Islamabad United, Gaddafi Stadium Lahore
February 18, 2024 Quetta Gladiators v Peshawar Zalmi, Gaddafi Stadium Lahore; Multan Sultans v Karachi Kings, Multan Cricket Stadium
February 19, 2024 Lahore Qalandars v Quetta Gladiators, Gaddafi Stadium Lahore
February 20, 2024 Multan Sultans v Islamabad United, Multan Cricket Stadium
February 21, 2024 Peshawar Zalmi v Karachi Kings, Gaddafi Stadium Lahore; Multan Sultans v Lahore Qalandars, Multan Cricket Stadium
February 22, 2024 Quetta Gladiators v Islamabad United, Gaddafi Stadium Lahore
February 23, 2024 Multan Sultans v Peshawar Zalmi, Multan Cricket Stadium
February 24, 2024 Lahore Qalandars v Karachi Kings, Gaddafi Stadium Lahore
February 25, 2024 Multan Sultans v Quetta Gladiators, Multan Cricket Stadium; Lahore Qalandars v Peshawar Zalmi, Gaddafi Stadium Lahore
February 26, 2024 Peshawar Zalmi v Islamabad United, Gaddafi Stadium Lahore
February 27, 2024 Lahore Qalandars v Multan Sultans, Gaddafi Stadium Lahore
February 28, 2024 Karachi Kings v Islamabad United, National Bank Stadium
February 29, 2024 Karachi Kings v Quetta Gladiators, National Bank Stadium
March 2, 2024 Peshawar Zalmi v Lahore Qalandars, Pindi Cricket Stadium; Islamabad United v Quetta Gladiators, Pindi Cricket Stadium
March 3, 2024 Karachi Kings v Multan Sultans, National Bank Stadium
March 4, 2024 Islamabad United v Peshawar Zalmi, Pindi Cricket Stadium
March 5, 2024 Peshawar Zalmi v Multan Sultans, Pindi Cricket Stadium
March 6, 2024 Quetta Gladiators v Karachi Kings, Pindi Cricket Stadium; Islamabad United v Lahore Qalandars, Pindi Cricket Stadium
March 7, 2024 Islamabad United v Karachi Kings, Pindi Cricket Stadium
March 8, 2024 Peshawar Zalmi v Quetta Gladiators, Pindi Cricket Stadium
March 9, 2024 Karachi Kings v Lahore Qalandars, National Bank Stadium
March 10, 2024 Islamabad United v Multan Sultans, Pindi Cricket Stadium; Quetta Gladiators v Lahore Qalandars, National Bank Stadium
March 11, 2024 Karachi Kings v Peshawar Zalmi, National Bank Stadium
March 12, 2024 Quetta Gladiators v Multan Sultans, National Bank Stadium
March 14, 2024 Qualifier (1 v 2), National Bank Stadium
March 15, 2024 Eliminator 1 (3 v 4), National Bank Stadium
March 16, 2024 Eliminator 2 (Eliminator Winner v Qualifier Runner-up), National Bank Stadium
March 18, 2024 Final, National Bank Stadium