A well-known ‘KRL’ cricket stadium in Rawalpindi has been renamed after former Pakistan’s cricket legend Shoaib Akhtar.
Shoaib Akhtar is much ‘humbled’ to receive this honour and said that he ‘truly has no words to thank everyone for the love and respect’.
Taking to Twitter, the former pacer said, “I have always done by best to serve Pakistan with utmost dedication and passionate determination, with integrity. To always keep our flag high. Today and every day. I wear the star on my chest with pride. Thank you, Pakistan. Zindabad.”
After a tonne of criticism and trolling over the official anthem of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 6, singer Meesha Shafi came forth to call out those bashing the song.
Responding to all the negative comments, Meesha Shafi took to Instagram to weigh in on the controversy.
“Groove Mera isn’t just a musical win, it’s a win over classism,” she wrote.
“Over post-colonial inferiority complex and a rigid system that favours only a selective few repeatedly,” she remarked, raising the curtains on the nepotistic ways some brands and platforms embrace Pakistani artists,” the singer added.
“A shame that we deny ourselves a legendary talent like Naseebo Lal over these hang-ups,” added the Bijli Aye Ya Na Aye crooner. “Kudos to the whole team,” Shafi concluded.
The official anthem ‘Groove Mera‘, sung by artists Naseebo Lal, Aima Baig and rappers Young Stunners, had triggered the meme fest among netizens and also received flak.
Social media users and celebrities are calling out at Pakistan’s former pacer Shoaib Akhtar for mocking the recently released Pakistan Super League (PSL)’s official anthem Groove Mera.
Shoaib Akhtar lashed out at PCB for releasing “the worst song that he had heard in the history of the PSL”.
“If the 10 worst songs of the PSL are compiled, this song will be number one,” said the former pacer. “Do you have any shame?”
He mocked the new song by joking that ever since he played it for his children, they have stopped talking to him. “My kids are scared of this song. When they don’t sleep, I tell them I’ll play it for them. That immediately scares them,” he said.
Watch: Shoaib Akhtar Mocked At PCB After PSL Anthem’s Release
However, Pakistani Twitterati was quick to respond Akhtarfor his insensitive remarks about the artists’ struggle.
“Really disappointed in u. The song is not bad at all. Just cuz u didn’t like it, doesn’t mean u have the right to put efforts of singers n producers in the trash,” one user said.
On the other hand, Singer and actor Haroon Shahid also reminded Akhtar about his association with Shahrukh Khan-owned Kolkata Knight Riders.
“So when Shoaib Akhtar was being paid millions by Kolkata Knight Riders and this song came up I bet he would have danced on this track at the Eden Gardens just to impress Shahrukh jee!”
Moreover, actress Anoushey Ashraf and singer Farhan Saeed also bashed Shoaib Akhtar over bashing the PSL song.
“Oh dear, this is in bad taste. One thing to not like a song, another thing to run down artists, musicians this way,” she commented on Akhtar’s video shared by Hello! Pakistan. “Big fan of Shoaib Akhtar but not the way he’s bashing the new anthem. Some people, including many of your friends, fans and family, like the track.”
“Difference of opinion is welcome, degrading someone’s work isn’t,” she pointed out. “Don’t like the track, cool. Hating on it this way? Not cool.”
