Peshawar Zalmi PSL7 anthem brings the drama, for better or for worse

Twitter reacted to the anthem's goosebump-inducing quality and the music video's skillful yet confusing visuals

Peshwar Zalmi finally unveiled their highly-anticipated Pakistan Super League (PSL) anthem for season seven, performed by Zar Sanga, Sunny Khan Durrani, Zoha Zuberi, Tayyab Rehman and Zara Madani, and produced by Rohail Hyatt and Ali Mustafa. Titled Aaya Zalmi, the anthem, brimming with hope for a win, is haunting, angry and attempts to get fans filled with excitement for the upcoming matches.

The video is filled with special effects, from Mahira Khan seemingly practising martial arts in the midst of floating rocks, to Shoaib Malik falling to his knees watching a past version of himself disintegrate into black smoke.

Twitter was flooded with reactions following the release of the anthem, with some fans saying it managed to induce goosebumps on the first listen, and others poking fun at the Game of Thrones and Kung Fu Panda-esque visuals.

Rohail Hyatt tweeted about his experince working on the anthem

It’s been a great experience to be involved with #PeshawarZalmi They are super passionate and have an amazing cult-like following. Congratulations to the team involved with the anthem. Zarsanga is a legend, no doubt.#zarsanga#Zalmi2022 https://t.co/zWBkbfahxu

— Rohail Hyatt (@rohailhyatt) January 29, 2022

Several fans gushed about how much they loved Aaya Zalmi and the music video

This is called Anthem👌 #AayaZALMI (Zalmi Main Anthem for PSL 7) @DennisCricket_@Saqibca @_FaridKhan #AayaZALMI#YellowStorm #Zalmi2022 #YellowIsTheColor #Zalmi #HBLPSL pic.twitter.com/rDjd0kJLSA

— Haider Ali FC (@iamhaideraIy) January 28, 2022

Ppl really have audicity to compare Zalmi with other franchises!!!!
Zalmi is clear in everything, Warra anthem!!!!!!#PeshawarZalmi #KKvMS #PSL7 https://t.co/uT4saX1wZb

— Usman | Zalmi🏏 (@musmanmazhar2) January 28, 2022

#ZalmiAnthem is a superb mix of art and sport. Love it. @JAfridi10 never disappoints.pic.twitter.com/McqnONaCLI

— Gul (@G4_gul) January 28, 2022

tbh no one can compete with Zalmi on branding level. im not only talking about PSL, all leagues. https://t.co/EZFw11S9DA

— ˣ (@MrUnknwn_) January 28, 2022

This is what other franchises need to learn from @PeshawarZalmi. This is how you endorse your team and make a solid brand out of it.
Zalmi’s anthems carry mysterious storytelling and give that adrenaline shot that no matter which city you belong to you just want to support Zalmi https://t.co/IYxw9YExYC

— Muhammad Umar (@uummaaarr) January 28, 2022

Some made fun of the dramatic visuals and Mahira's martial arts

Somebody please tell Peshawar Zalmi’s marketing team to chill a bit. Its just an anthem for a local sports team. Yay tuo Marvel Cinematic Universe se bhi 2 km ahgey chaley gaye pic.twitter.com/x7rdvlXx8X

— Azlan Mehmood (@azlanmahmood1) January 28, 2022

my life makes just as much as sense as this peshawar zalmi psl anthem. I’m mahira khan I think doing nothing on a bunch of rocks as all goes to sh!t Alhamdulillah https://t.co/JMJdbNp1b9

— 𝔃𝓮𝔂 (ap’s version) (@zeynepshah) January 28, 2022

why Mahira khan is clowning in Peshawar Zalmi's Anthem video i - 😭

— Humna. (@Humnayyy) January 28, 2022

Wth is even everyone doing in this anthem. 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 https://t.co/Y47ZQgATWv

— 🌻 (@xyzmariaa) January 28, 2022

“Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness” Trailer out now… #PSL7 #PSL2022 https://t.co/ejFTXF6xlK

— hijaab 💫 (@holachiquita_) January 28, 2022

Naah buddy, overdid it this time. https://t.co/S6qrgZ3b4d

— Aimun (@bluemagicboxes) January 28, 2022

Some questioned the choice of colour-palette and dark mood

Amazing. But I need the music Twitter to explain this trend of shifting from upbeat anthems to really gritty and dark color graded. Do they serve the purpose of adrenaline rush thru music? Is this the future? https://t.co/UlrO108qxE

— فریحہ ✪ (@fay_alif) January 28, 2022

This year's PSL kicked off with an underwhelming opening ceremony that saw singers Atif Aslam and Aima Baig take the stage and groove to the PSL anthem, Agay Dekh. Atif, clad in a black sequined jacket and oversized sunnies (a style we have seen him repeat one too many times recently) and Aima in a pastel pant and a crop top combo, performed for the audience in a rather dull ceremony as compared to previous years.