"Groove Mera"
Promotional single by various artists
LanguageUrdu
Punjabi
Released6 February 2021 (2021-02-06)
Recorded2021
GenreElectronic dance music
Stadium anthem
Length3:02
LabelGiraffe Pakistan
ComposerZulfiqar Jabbar Khan (Xulfi)
LyricistsAdnan Dhool
Young Stunners
Pakistan Super League anthems chronology
"Tayyar Hain"
(2020) 		"Groove Mera"
(2021) 		"Agay Dekh"
(2022)

"Groove Mera" (Urdu: گروو میرا, lit. 'My Groove') is a 2021 song, written by Adnan Dhool, composed by Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan (Xulfi), and performed by Naseebo Lal and Aima Baig, with rap by Young Stunners. It served as the official anthem of the sixth season of the Pakistan Super League.

The anthem and its music video reflected the nature of the league to be viewed on streaming, due to the limited stadium attendance in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. It opened to a polarized reception, with some people strongly criticising its execution, while others supporting a fresh take. The opening ceremony was also aired as a pre-recorded segment.

Background and release

For the electronic dance music-inspired anthem, Adnan Dhool wrote the lyrics,[1] Xulfi composed and produced the track,[2] and Fida Moin directed the music video.[3] The lyrics and the music video reflect the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic by depicting the audience watching the matches on television, mobile phones, and laptops.[1][4] Independent Urdu quoted Xulfi that the term "Groove" should be taken in a broader way, like excitement and celebrations.[5] Dawn quoted a PCB spokesperson that Naseebo Lal, Aima Baig, and Young Stunners were selected to promote musical diversity, as their voices were not heard before in the PSL.[4][6] Naseebo Lal called this anthem as a unique opportunity in her career that she got to sing for Pakistan for the first time, and that she felt honoured after receiving more respect from people.[7][8][9]

"Groove Mera" was released on 6 February 2021 across music streaming services. It stars Pakistan national cricket team players Shadab Khan, Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Wahab Riaz and Sarfaraz Ahmed, representing their respective teams, Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, Multan Sultans, Peshawar Zalmi, and Quetta Gladiators.[3]

Reception

Within four days on YouTube, it was trending at number one in Pakistan, as well as a top trend in other countries including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Kuwait.[10] It became then fastest PSL anthem to cross 10 million views on YouTube within twelve days.[11]

The Express Tribune noted that the song "isn't as hard to listen to but it isn't a hit either" and that the production fell short in places.[12] The News, The Express Tribune, and Dawn Images compiled public reactions from social media.[12][13][14] While The News called it a mixed reception,[13] Dawn Images concluded that some people are recalling "Ali Zafar's anthem yet again", others are "enjoying how catchy the" anthem is, while some others "didn't know what groove meant".[14] Noting the public reactions, Adrian Sînă also asked if his group Akcent could make any PSL anthem.[15]

Afreen Seher of Dawn, highlighted the anthem's significance that "the ratio of male and female singers is equal", by using "different forms of music (contemporary folk, funk and rap)" for "people of all age groups to boogie".[16] Saad Nasir of ProPakistani wrote that "the song itself feels like what it was made for".[17] Shahid Kazmi of Express News supported Naseebo Lal and criticised the public for trolling her.[18] Maheen Sabeeh reviewed in The News that the song is "full of colour that can be embraced irrespective of the new normal".[19] On Twitter, journalists like Qadir Khawaja called it a "pathetic" PSL anthem,[20] while Arfa Feroz called it an anthem to "bang and dance" in stadium.[21]

Shoaib Akhtar posted a review that "Groove Mera" was the "worst song" in the history of the PSL, and that it had scared his children.[22] Firdous Ashiq Awan also criticised the anthem, saying it "could have been improved further".[23] In response, a report in Dawn noted that "those who opposed it" faced "fierce criticism from some showbiz celebs",[24] while Leon Menezes, a professor at IBA Karachi, wrote in Dawn Aurora that the criticism had "some unsettling undertones".[25] Anoushey Ashraf commented the "difference of opinion is welcome" but one thing is to "not like a song", another thing is "to run down artists" like Akhtar did.[26] Meesha Shafi praised the track as "a win over classism" and "a rigid system that favours only a selective few repeatedly".[27][28] Adnan Siddiqui tweeted about the "keyboard warriors" who break someone's "hard work to pieces", and pointed towards the "songs Naseebo Lal has given".[4] Later, ARY News reported a video of Naseebo Lal performing the song at a wedding ceremony as well.[29]

In later years, Mera FM and 24 Digital respectively recalled and noted that the anthem had received "a lot of flak" for not living up to the expectations, and "huge criticism" for controversial content.[30][31] Despite this, the anthem on YouTube became second most-viewed PSL anthem after "Ab Khel Jamay Ga", as well as the most-liked and the most-disliked video out of all the PSL anthems.[a]

Opening ceremony

On 13 February 2021, Atique ur Rehman of Geo News reported that the opening ceremony would be telecast as a virtual programme after being recorded in Istanbul, Turkey, instead of having a live ceremony.[33] A day later, the PSL announced the names of performing artists, after Ali Zafar clarified that he would not be performing there.[34]

The segment was aired before the opening match on 20 February at the National Stadium, Karachi. It was opened with "Qaumi Taranah", followed by a speech by then PCB chairman Ehsan Mani. Then, Imran Khan appeared with Humaima Malick, followed by Atif Aslam. The segment was closed with a performance of the anthem "Groove Mera" featuring its artists. Afterwards, fireworks were displayed live at the stadium, which was allowed to host only 7500 spectators due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan.[35] Geo News reported that the ceremony cost around Rs. 20 crore.[36]

Notes

  1. ^ The fact is directly obtained from Pakistan Super League's YouTube channel, and as reported by City42 News.[32]

See also

External media
Audio
audio icon Audio on YouTube
Video
video icon Music video on YouTube
video icon BTS on YouTube

References

  1. ^ a b "EDM-heavy song for PSL 2021 'Groove Mera' released". Geo Super. 6 February 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2026.
  2. ^ Sameen Amer (21 March 2021). "Xulfi's new groove". The News. Retrieved 6 May 2026.
  3. ^ a b "PSL 6 anthem 'Groove Mera' featuring Aima Baig, Naseebo Lal releases nationwide". Geo News. 6 February 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2026.
  4. ^ a b c "Artists call for tolerance as PSL anthem leaves nation divided". Dawn. 12 February 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2026.
  5. ^ حسن کاظمی (14 February 2021). "کرکٹ بورڈ کے کہنے پر نصیبو لعل سے پی ایس ایل ترانہ گوایا: زلفی" [Naseebo Lal sang PSL anthem at the behest of the Cricket Board: Xulfi]. Independent Urdu (in Urdu). Retrieved 6 May 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ "'Groove Mera': PCB defends PSL 6 anthem and choice of artists". Geo News. 12 February 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2026.
  7. ^ براق شبیر (11 February 2021). "نصیبو لال: یہ میرا پہلا گانا ہے جو میں نے پاکستان کے لیے گایا ہے" [Naseebo Lal: This is my first song that I have sung for Pakistan] (in Urdu). BBC Urdu. Retrieved 6 May 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  8. ^ "Naseebo Lal says 'respect increased' after PSL 6 anthem". The News International. 10 February 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2026.
  9. ^ "PSL 2021 anthem wins Naseebo Lal new admirers". Geo News. 13 February 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2026.
  10. ^ "PSL 6 anthem 'Groove Mera' trends worldwide on YouTube". The News. 10 February 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2026.
  11. ^ "'گروو میرا'، 12دن میں یوٹیوب پر ایک کروڑ سے زائد ویوز کا اعزاز حاصل" ['Groove Mera' gets over 10 million views on YouTube in 12 days]. Daily Jang (in Urdu). 20 February 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2026.
  12. ^ a b "PSL 6 anthem: Memes galore as 'Groove Mera' trends on Pakistani Twitter". The Express Tribune. 7 February 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2026.
  13. ^ a b "PSL 2021 anthem 'Groove Mera' attracts a lot of memes with mixed reactions". The News. 7 February 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2026.
  14. ^ a b "Twitter can't decide if it hates or loves the new PSL anthem". Dawn Images. 8 February 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2026.
  15. ^ "Akcent shows interest in singing PSL anthem following 'Groove Mera' criticism". The News. 12 February 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2026.
  16. ^ Afreen Seher (20 February 2021). "Pluralism and the PSL anthem". Dawn. Retrieved 6 May 2026.
  17. ^ Saad Nasir (9 February 2021). "PSL Anthem Becomes Controversial Yet Again". ProPakistani. Retrieved 6 May 2026.
  18. ^ شاہد کاظمی (12 February 2021). "گروو میرا نصیبو لال اور بے ہودگی کا الزام" [Groove Mera Naseebo Lal and the accusation of vulgarity] (in Urdu). Express News. Retrieved 6 May 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  19. ^ Maheen Sabeeh (14 February 2021). "Aima Baig, Young Stunners and Naseebo Lal join forces for PSL anthem". The News. Retrieved 6 May 2026.
  20. ^ @iamqadirkhawaja (6 February 2021). "PATHETIC #PSLSONG" (Tweet). Retrieved 7 May 2026 – via Twitter.
  21. ^ @ArfaSays_ (6 February 2021). "an overall refreshing experience! The animations in videography is eyecatching! Groove Mera is one to bang and dance off in stadium!" (Tweet). Retrieved 7 May 2026 – via Twitter.
  22. ^ "'Groove Mera' is the worst song in PSL history: Shoaib Akhtar lashes out at PCB". The News. 10 February 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
  23. ^ "'Could've been improved': Groove Mera doesn't impress Firdous Ashiq Awan". Geo Super. 12 February 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2026.
  24. ^ "The Grapevine". Dawn. 21 February 2021. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  25. ^ Leon Menezes. "The PSL 6 Anthem – Groovy or Not?". Dawn Aurora. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  26. ^ "Anoushey Ashraf, Farhan Saeed call out Shoaib Akhtar for hating on the new PSL anthem". Dawn Images. 11 February 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2026.
  27. ^ Maheen Sabeeh (21 February 2021). "News of the Week". The News. Retrieved 6 May 2026.
  28. ^ "From Mehwish Hayat to Fatima Bhutto, public figures defend PSL 6 anthem". The Express Tribune. 8 February 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2026.
  29. ^ "'گروو میرا' شادیوں کی زینت بن گیا، نصیبو لعل کی پرفارمنس دلہن دلہا کا رقص" ['Groove Mera' became the decoration of weddings, Naseebo Lal's performance was the dance of the bride and groom] (in Urdu). ARY News. 6 March 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2026.
  30. ^ "Thursday Tunes: The sensational PSL7 anthem Agay Dekh". Mera FM. 27 January 2022. Retrieved 6 May 2026.
  31. ^ "Ali Zafar and Aima Baig to collaborate for PSL 9 anthem". 24 Digital. 2 February 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2026.
  32. ^ "پی ایس ایل ترانہ، نصیبو لال نے سب کو پیچھے چھوڑ دیا" [PSL Anthem, Naseebo Lal leaves everyone behind] (in Urdu). City42 News. 16 February 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2026.
  33. ^ Atique ur Rehman (13 February 2021). "PSL 2021 opening ceremony to be held, pre-recorded in Istanbul: sources". Geo Super. Retrieved 7 May 2026.
  34. ^ "Atif Aslam, Humaima Malick join 'Groove Mera' singers for PSL opening ceremony". The Express Tribune. 15 February 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2026.
  35. ^ Khalid H. Khan (21 February 2021). "Player, coach breach bio-secure bubble as PSL 6 opens". Dawn. Retrieved 7 May 2026.
  36. ^ "PSL opening ceremony costs PCB nearly Rs25 million". The News. 28 January 2022. Retrieved 25 March 2026.