X Dekho
{{short description|2025 Pakistan Super League anthem}}
{{Use Pakistani English|date=April 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox song
| cover = X Dekho.png
| caption = Anthem cover
| name = X Dekho
| type = promo
| artist = various artists
| writer = Ali Zafar
Abrar Ul Haq
Talha Anjum
| producer = Ali Zafar
Ali Mustafa
| length = {{Duration|m=3|s=44}}
| studio = Lightingale
| label = Lightingale
| recorded = 2025
| released = {{Start date|2025|4|2|df=y}}
| genre = Stadium anthem
| language = Urdu
Punjabi
English
| chronology = Pakistan Super League anthems
| prev_title = Khul Ke Khel
| prev_year = 2024
| next_title =
| next_year =
| misc = {{Infobox film
| name = {{noitalic|Music Video}}
| italic_title = no
| cinematography = Abu Bakr
Talha
| studio = Khayal Films
| director = Babar Sheikh
Rameez Khokar (choreographer)
| producer = Sumair Tariq
Merium Yousuf
| editing = Mishal Yousuf
| runtime = {{Duration|m=3|s=48}}
}}
}}
"X Dekho" ({{Translation|Watch Decade}}) is the official anthem of the tenth season of Pakistan Super League, 2025. Recorded and produced at Lightingale Records, the anthem features Ali Zafar, Abrar Ul Haq, Talha Anjum, and Natasha Baig.
Background
On 23 March 2025, it was reported that the season's anthem is under final stage.{{cite news |author=Saleem Khaliq |title=PSL set to become separate company |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2535896/p |access-date=8 April 2025 |work=The Express Tribune |date=23 March 2025}} Two days later, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced that Ali Zafar has 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.{{cite news|title=Multan Sultans' Ali Tareen slams PSL for letting 'same middle-aged dude' helm its official anthem|url=https://images.dawn.com/news/1193428|accessdate=2 April 2025|work=Dawn Images|date=26 March 2025}}{{cite news|title=Ali Zafar to sing anthem for PSL 10|url=https://24newshd.tv/25-Mar-2025/ali-zafar-to-sing-anthem-for-psl-10|accessdate=2 April 2025|publisher=24 News HD|date=25 March 2025}} 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.{{cite news|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2537525/w|title=HBL PSL X anthem released, featuring first-timers|date=2 April 2025|accessdate=2 April 2025|work=The Express Tribune}}
While Talha Anjum was previously featured in the anthem for the sixth season,{{cite news |title=PSL 2021 songs: Which anthem is the catchiest of them all? |url=http://www.geosuper.tv/latest/7973-psl-2021-songs-which-one-is-the-catchiest-of-them-all |access-date=9 April 2025 |publisher=Geo Super |date=20 February 2021 |archive-date=14 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230214070936/https://www.geosuper.tv/latest/7973-psl-2021-songs-which-one-is-the-catchiest-of-them-all |url-status=live }} Abrar Ul Haq and Natahsa Baig are debuting.{{cite news |title=PSL 2025 anthem X Dekho to be released on Wednesday |url=http://www.geosuper.tv/latest/42905-psl-2025-anthem-x-dekho-to-be-released-on-wednesday |access-date=8 April 2025 |publisher=Geo Super |date=1 April 2025}} Baig told 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.{{cite news |author=Maheen Sabeeh |title=In conversation with Natasha Baig |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/tns/detail/1298237-in-conversation-with-natasha-baig |access-date=8 April 2025 |work=The News |date=6 April 2025}}
Release
The anthem was released on 2 April 2025 across multiple social media platforms.{{cite news|title=PSL 10 anthem 'X Dekho' to be released today|url=https://cricketpakistan.com.pk/en/news/detail/psl-10-anthem-x-dekho-to-be-released-today|accessdate=2 April 2025|work=Cricket Pakistan|date=2 April 2025|archive-date=1 April 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250401223102/https://cricketpakistan.com.pk/en/news/detail/psl-10-anthem-x-dekho-to-be-released-today|url-status=live}}
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.{{cite news |title=PCB unveils PSL X opening ceremony venue |url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/599255 |access-date=11 April 2025 |publisher=Geo News |date=9 April 2025}}{{cite news |title=PSL X kicks off with scintillating opening ceremony |url=https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/11-Apr-2025/psl-x-kicks-off-with-scintillating-opening-ceremony |access-date=11 April 2025 |work=Daily Pakistan |date=11 April 2025}}{{cite news |title=Spectacular opening ceremony of PSL 10 held at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium |url=https://humenglish.com/latest/spectacular-opening-ceremony-of-psl-10-held-at-rawalpindi-cricket-stadium |access-date=11 April 2025 |publisher=Hum News |date=11 April 2025}}{{cite news |title=HBL PSL X kicks off in style with star-studded opening ceremony in Rawalpindi |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2539316/h |access-date=11 April 2025 |work=The Express Tribune |date=11 April 2025}}
Reception
The anthem drew mixed reactions, with critics and audiences acknowledging some of its strong elements but criticising its execution.{{cite news |title=PSL 10 anthem fails to impress fans |url=https://dunyanews.tv/en/Cricket/876684 |access-date=8 April 2025 |publisher=Dunya News |date=4 April 2025}}{{cite news |title=Seeking the X in PSL 10 anthem |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2537798/s |access-date=8 April 2025 |work=The Express Tribune |date=3 April 2025}}{{cite news |title=PSL 10 anthem "X dekho" falls short of expectations |url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/1282572 |access-date=8 April 2025 |work=Daily Times |date=3 April 2025}}{{cite news |author=Huzaifa Gaba |title=PSL 10 Anthem 'X Dekho' Fails to Impress Fans |url=https://www.brandsynario.com/psl-10-anthem-x-dekho-fails-impress-fans |access-date=8 April 2025 |publisher=Brandsynario |date=3 April 2025}}{{cite news |title=PSL 10 Anthem "X Dekho" Divides Fans: Is It a Hit or Miss? |url=https://www.behtareen.pk/psl-10-anthem-x-dekho-mixed-reactions |access-date=8 April 2025 |publisher=Behtareen |author=Amara Hanif |date=4 April 2025 |archive-date=22 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250422193826/https://www.behtareen.pk/psl-10-anthem-x-dekho-mixed-reactions/ |url-status=live }} While some praised the artists collaboration, many argued it failed to meet expectations as a "decade-defining" track despite pre-release hype. While some noted Ali Zafar's dominant role, yet others argued his performance did not match his earlier anthem standards. Uneven contributions were highlighted, particularly Natasha Baig's limited vocal presence. While some solely praised Talha Anjum's rap segment and Abrar Ul Haq's Punjabi segment, others criticized their presence as disjointed rather than integrated. The anthem's reliance on Punjabi lyrics and minimal regional representation sparked debates about its reflection of nationwide identity. Additionally, the title phrase was questioned for its thematic relevance to cricket.
See also
{{External media
| video1 = {{YouTube|eSPzIHh4MKY|Music video}}
| video2 = {{YouTube|SbtabbbV17I|Opening ceremony performance}}
| audio1 = {{YouTube|dTn-_z4b_z8|Audio}}
}}