Agay Dekh

"Agay Dekh"
Anthem cover
Promotional single by Atif Aslam, Aima Baig
Released24 January 2022 (2022-01-24)
Recorded2022
GenreStadium anthem
Electronic dance music[1]
Length3:02
LabelTikTok
Composers
Lyricist(see below)
ProducerAbdullah Siddiqui
Pakistan Super League anthems chronology
"Groove Mera"
(2021) 		"Agay Dekh"
(2022) 		"Sab Sitaray Humaray"
(2023)

"Agay Dekh" (Urdu: آگے دیکھ, lit. 'Look Beyond') is a 2022 song, composed and produced by Abdullah Siddiqui, and performed by Atif Aslam and Aima Baig. Released in collaboration with TikTok, it served as the official anthem of the seventh season of the Pakistan Super League.

The anthem opened to mixed reception, however, later, a compilation music video was also uploaded by the PSL using fan videos from social media. A low-budget curtain raiser was also held in Karachi in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background and release

As the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) directed the marketing team to find a sponsor to complete the anthem instead of self-funding, and decided to host a low-scale curtain raiser,[2][3] TikTok signed-in in January 2022 with two-year partnership for entertainment, represented by Ramiz Raja, then PCB chairman, and Paul Katrib, head of brand marketing and strategy for TikTok in Pakistan. They further called fans to share moments on their accounts using hashtag #KhelegaPakistan.[4]

On 13 January, it was announced that the anthem is a collaboration between "Atif Aslam and Aima Baig with Abdullah Siddiqui". This is Baig's second PSL anthem in a row. Siddiqui, who was featured in Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2021 and had endorsed Peshawar Zalmi earlier, revealed that he got the job based on a demo he had and then the melody was created with Natasha Noorani.[5][6][7][8] As per the official statement, the anthem's theme was set to cheer the mood during the COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan and "look beyond" by enjoying the game rather than just a victory or defeat.[9]

The music video, directed by Zeeshan Perwez, has been shot in Lahore during 19 to 21 January; with outdoor at Gaddafi Stadium, and indoor at Bari and Evernew Studios.[10] Few making-of scenes were leaked by some of the fans who were called upon by PCB to attend the filming.[11][12][13][14] First official teaser was released on official TikTok account of PSL on 23 January,[15] while the anthem was released on 24 January.[9][16] Production team Check-Box Media (CBM) shared that it took 10 days in the "entire journey from conceptualisation to release".[17]

Curtain raiser

The curtain raiser was held in National Stadium, Karachi on 27 January, which started with "Qaumi Taranah". A documentary by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy was played, narrating 70 years history of international cricket for Pakistan in voice of Ramiz Raja.[18] Three paragliders from Red Bull X-Alps, Austria, were featured; namely Florian Greger, Paul Steiner, and Stefan Muller.[19]

Then, Aslam and Baig came to stage, having official tagline #LevelHai, to perform the anthem.[20] Prime Minister of Pakistan and former cricketer Imran Khan made an appearance via a recorded video message, followed by live fireworks display.[21][22]

Reception

In a review, Independent Urdu noted that the music feels a bit slow, and one may keep waiting for a moment to step up and dance.[23] The Express Tribune reviewed the music is able to get one on "feet to dance", but lacks a quality of being an anthem.[24] A reviewer in Dawn called it a "cool track" with a "foot-tapping beat" and a "contemporary" melody.[25] BBC Urdu and Dawn Images noted that the anthem has received mixed reactions on social media, however, The Express Tribune reported the reactions to be "widely positive", and Daily Jang's Zainab Nasir noted "netizens might have disliked".[26][24][27][28] Nasir, however, praised the looks and styling of both the singers.[28]

On Twitter, journalists like Arfa Feroz called the anthem "a complete disappointment" while Ihtisham Ul Haq as "just ok", however, both remembered the standard of previous anthems by Ali Zafar.[29][30]

Daily Pakistan reported that the twenty-minute curtain raiser cost about Rs. 2.5 crore,[a][22] and BBC Urdu reported that people appreciated the video message by Imran Khan as a brilliant advertising.[26]

During a Karachi Kings–Lahore Qalandars rivalry match on 30 January, a fan's video went viral on social media who was dancing in stadium while the anthem was being played.[32][33][34] Later, the PSL also released a compilation music video featuring fan videos from TikTok dancing to the anthem.[b]

Personnel

Adapted from music video on YouTube:

  • Additional Composition: Maanu, Omer Ahmad, and Atif Aslam
  • Writer(s): Natasha Noorani, Sami Khan, Maanu, Mustapha Zafar, Omer Ahmad, and Atif Aslam
  • Cinematographer: Ahsan Raza
  • Choreographer: Mehar Bano
  • Editor: Zeeshan Parwez & Abubakar Siddique
  • Stylists:
    • Sara Bharwana (Atif Aslam)[35]
    • Mavi Kayani, Feeha Jamshed, Ayan Khan (Aima Baig)[36][37]
  • Photography: Areesh Zubair[38]
  • Sponsorship management: Transgroup
  • Sponsors: Tiktok, Red Bull Pakistan

See also

External media
Audio
Audio on YouTube
Video
Music video on YouTube
Performance at the curtain raiser on YouTube
TikTok version (compilation music video) on YouTube

Notes

  1. ^ At that time, US$1 was equivalent to Rs. 176.98[31]
  2. ^ Fact obtained from YouTube

References

  1. ^ "Abdullah Siddiqui breaks down the process of creating PSL anthem 'Agay Dekh'". Dawn Images. 24 February 2022. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  2. ^ Qadir Khawaja (4 January 2022). "PSL7 anthem faces delay, say sources". Samaa TV. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  3. ^ Syed Ahmed (11 January 2022). "PCB scraps PSL 7 opening ceremony due to 'cost, rise in Covid cases'". Business Recorder. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  4. ^ "TikTok joins PSL 7 and PSL 8 as an official entertainment partner". Bol News. 21 January 2022. Archived from the original on 21 January 2022. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
  5. ^ "Abdullah Siddiqui recognized on Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2021 list". The News on Sunday. 25 April 2021. Archived from the original on 25 April 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  6. ^ "Who is Abdullah Siddiqui? The electropop prodigy opens up about his journey". Dawn Images. 21 May 2021. Archived from the original on 21 January 2022. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  7. ^ "Atif Aslam, Aima Baig to sing HBL PSL 2022 anthem". The Nation. 13 January 2022. Archived from the original on 13 January 2022. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
  8. ^ Maheen Sabeeh (30 January 2022). "Ushering in the age of Abdullah". The News. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  9. ^ a b "'Wait is over': PCB releases PSL 7 anthem 'Agay Dekh' featuring Atif Aslam, Aima Baig". Geo News. 24 January 2022. Archived from the original on 24 January 2022. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  10. ^ "عاطف اسلم ، آئمہ بیگ پی ایس ایل 7 کا گانا گائیں گے". Roznama 92 News (in Urdu). 22 January 2022. Archived from the original on 23 January 2022. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  11. ^ Muhammad Yashal Mazhar (20 January 2022). "PSL 7 anthem may face delay in release". The Nation. Archived from the original on 23 January 2022. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
  12. ^ "PSL 2022 Anthem Leaked Online Ahead of Official Launch". Bol News. 19 January 2022. Archived from the original on 20 January 2022. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
  13. ^ "Snippets leaked from 'PSL7 anthem' featuring Atif Aslam, Aima Baig". Samaa TV. 20 January 2022. Archived from the original on 20 January 2022. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  14. ^ "'Video' of PSL 2022 anthem featuring Atif Aslam, Aima Baig leaked online". Daily Pakistan. 20 January 2022. Archived from the original on 23 January 2022. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  15. ^ "Watch: PSL teases first look at official anthem featuring Atif Aslam, Aima Baig". The Express Tribune. 23 January 2022. Archived from the original on 23 January 2022. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  16. ^ "پی ایس ایل 2022 کے آفیشل ترانے کا ٹیزر جاری" (in Urdu). Dawn News. 23 January 2022. Archived from the original on 23 January 2022. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  17. ^ @checkboxmedia; (24 January 2022). "Once again, we are so humbled by the release of this anthem. We hope it cheers you up and gets you as excited as it gets us". Retrieved 26 January 2026 – via Instagram.
  18. ^ "Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy partners with PCB on documentary celebrating 70 years of Pakistani cricket". Dawn Images. 27 January 2022. Archived from the original on 27 January 2022. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  19. ^ "Making Karachi skies a personal playground". Red Bull Pakistan. 28 January 2022. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  20. ^ "PSL 2022: Aima Baig, Atif Aslam to perform live at opening ceremony". Pakistan Today. 20 January 2022. Archived from the original on 20 January 2022. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  21. ^ "Excitement raised up as PM, PCB chairman inaugurate PSL 7". A Sports. 27 January 2022. Archived from the original on 27 January 2022. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  22. ^ a b "پی ایس ایل سیزن7 کی 20 منٹ کی افتتاحی تقریب پر کتنا خرچ آیا؟ تفصیل سامنے آ گئی". Daily Pakistan (in Urdu). 28 January 2022. Archived from the original on 28 January 2022. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  23. ^ "پی ایس ایل 7: 'آگے دیکھ کے علاوہ کچھ سمجھ آیا نہیں'". Independent Urdu (in Urdu). 24 January 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2026.
  24. ^ a b "PSL7 anthem 'Agay Dekh' is bound to get you grooving". The Express Tribune. 25 January 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2026.
  25. ^ "The Grapevine". Dawn. 30 January 2022. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  26. ^ a b "پاکستان سپر لیگ سیزن 7: وزیراعظم عمران خان کا پی ایس ایل کی ٹیموں کو پیغام" (in Urdu). BBC Urdu. 25 January 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2026.
  27. ^ "Atif Aslam, Aima Baig and Abdullah Siddiqui's PSL anthem is out and it's getting mixed reactions online". Dawn Images. 25 January 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2026.
  28. ^ a b Zainab Nasir (26 January 2022). "Atif Aslam, Aima Baig's PSL 7 anthem streaming on YouTube: Watch". Daily Jang. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
  29. ^ @ArfaSays_ (24 January 2022). "Agay Dekh is a complete disappointment! There were expectations from Atif Aslam touching the aura of Ali Zafar" (Tweet). Retrieved 24 April 2026 – via Twitter.
  30. ^ @iihtishamm (24 January 2022). "The PSL anthem is just ok. Can't beat Ali Zafar" (Tweet). Retrieved 24 April 2026 – via Twitter.
  31. ^ Ali Gulrez (27 January 2022). "USD to PKR - Dollar Rate in Pakistan - 27 January 2022". INCPak. Archived from the original on 28 January 2022. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  32. ^ "WATCH: What other talent does viral PSL youth have aside from his moves and grooves?". Geo News. 31 January 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2026.
  33. ^ "PSL 2022: The viral PSL dancer wants to be a cricketer". The News. 1 February 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2026.
  34. ^ "And the trophy goes to…the viral PSL dancer who can sing as well!". The Express Tribune. 8 February 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2026.
  35. ^ @atifaslam; (25 January 2022). "Styled by my beautiful wife Thank you Sara". Retrieved 26 January 2022 – via Instagram.
  36. ^ @aima_baig_official; (26 January 2022). "📸 @areeshzubair @checkboxmedia - Stylist @mavikayanistylist - Makeup&hair @ayan_khanofficial". Retrieved 26 January 2022 – via Instagram.
  37. ^ "What impresses Aima Baig the most? An outfit by Feeha Jamshed". Dawn Images. 9 February 2022. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  38. ^ @areeshzubair; (24 January 2022). "So yes! I did photograph this year's @thepsl Anthem". Retrieved 26 January 2022 – via Instagram.
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