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11 Feb, 2021

Where do you draw the line between constructive criticism and flat out hate? According to some people, cricketer and current YouTuber Shoaib Akhtar crossed that line when he "reviewed" the new PSL anthem on his YouTube channel.

Akhtar also posted a clip of his "review" of 'Groove Mera' on his Instagram account in which he called it a bad song with a bad composition. The song was performed by Naseebo Lal, Aima Baig and the Young Stunners.

"Aren't you ashamed?" he asked the makers of the song, claiming that it was scaring his children. "My kid hasn't spoken in three days because of this song," he said with a smirk.

A photo posted by Instagram (@instagram) on

"The people who sang this song have no idea what groove even means," he continued. And that was just the preview. Akhtar has a nine-minute video up on his YouTube channel in which he "reviews" the song. But reviews usually include more than just bashing.

Many people have called him out on social media, including actress Anoushey Ashraf.

"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."

We agree; Akhtar could have said he didn't like the song and even done a review but putting down everyone who made the song, starting with "the person at the PCB who thought it was a good idea" was unnecessary.

What people like Akhtar and other detractors of the song have to remember is that real people made this song and real people read hate comments like these. And when you have a huge platform, like Akhtar does, your voice is amplified, good or bad.

"It's his opinion, that's okay! He has the right, but that's a stupid opinion is what is my opinion," commented singer and actor Farhan Saeed on the same post. "This song will be a winner in the stadiums, mark it! Well done Zulfiqar J Khan, Aima Baig and of course Naseebo Lal. Great effort!"

Actor Naveed Raza asked Akhtar to learn to appreciate things. "The worst virus is a human dehumanizing another human. Prevention is better than cure," he wrote.

The comments on Akhtar's YouTube and Instagram posts were mixed. Some people defended his right to his opinion while others said he had hit below the belt with his "review".

"He just gave [his] honest remarks! Secondly the song is a disaster if we own something we should own with full responsibility. If people don’t do honest reviews then there will be no room for improvement and betterment," wrote one Instagram user.

"Can you please be more respectful. [You said this] even though you know how this negativity can affect a person. You should be more responsible before saying anything," commented a YouTube viewer.

Reactions to the new PSL anthem have been mixed, with some people appreciating the effort and others hating on it. But not liking a song doesn't mean you have to be cruel. There are ways of talking about things you don't like without putting people down.

Comments

Nationalist Feb 11, 2021 12:18pm
Its cool actually.... if he doesn't like it, he doesn't like it
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Heko Feb 11, 2021 12:28pm
The track has an electro pop feel to it, it's meant to be played at the stadium, chances are there will be a drastic change of opinion once its played in that setting, and probably get far better reviews than the previous anthems.
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Solomon The King Feb 11, 2021 12:44pm
it's a stunt to increase Utube viewers, from Miandad to other celebrities have been doing this all along.. after a certain time they deny it or relax the tone
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Khurram Feb 11, 2021 12:56pm
Anthem is great. Innovative, bold, energetic, Thumbs up!! Shoaib akhter perhaps lack the apptitude to understand.. But dont worry.. Zabardast efforts all singers and composer.
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Sab Se Pehle Pakistan Feb 11, 2021 12:57pm
I completely agree with what Shoaib Akhter said. PSL is our "National" brand and there was absolutely nothing "National" about this song. To promote our national brand with such below power performances is absolutely unacceptable. We are competing with top leagues around the world. We cannot afford such blunders. PCB should take the criticism positively and improve in the next edition of PSL.
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jaredlee007 Feb 11, 2021 01:17pm
People have the right to provide feedback. Our singers and artists do not have the resilience to accept negative feedback. Nobody is going to pamper you, you must work hard and learn from your mistakes. Shoaib Akhtar's feedback reflects feelings of a Pakistani, the problem is you are looking at him more as a celebrity than as a Pakistani. Artists expect positive feedback all the time and thus, are now complaining that negative feedback should also be more positive than negative. I fully support Shoaib Akhtar, he represents my feelings too.
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jaredlee007 Feb 11, 2021 01:19pm
Instead of talking about Shoaib Akhtar, these artists should reflect on how tasteless their song is. Their creativity does not appeal to ordinary Pakistanis. Sajjad Ali would have done a much better job alone. Artists must learn how to react to feedback. They are deflecting the main issue that the song is not good and focusing on Shoaib Akhtar.
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Habibullah Feb 11, 2021 01:24pm
Shaoib Akhtar is right but he must use the proper word if want to criticize the song, he must give respect to all the peopled involved in making the song, he can suggest the singers / writers / performers about his opinion.
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Hashmat Feb 11, 2021 01:32pm
Shoaib Akhtar Hasn’t bashed on anyone but the song itself ... please stop reading between the lines and taking offence ... as for the song it’s an utter disaster.
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Shehzad, Lahore Feb 11, 2021 01:36pm
After listening to the anthem, India has left playing cricket forever
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Abbassin Feb 11, 2021 01:45pm
The problem with Shoaib -the man-boy is that he never grew up to be a man. He forgets that in his day he never learned to take advice from the experts, with the result that at the end of the day what could have been, never happened and a great talent was wasted. As for commenting on music, unless he is a trained musician, he should stick to his day job, which is to comment on Cricket.
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haris Feb 11, 2021 01:57pm
Sorry Shoabi bhai, I like the song. However, I will request all musicians that from next time please first take permission from Shoabi bhai before releasing any song.
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CP Feb 11, 2021 02:24pm
its a good song. i like it
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guest Feb 11, 2021 02:26pm
Aima Baig part was OK...rest is useless
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Chrís Dăn Feb 11, 2021 02:41pm
After watching the "song" and after watching Shoib Akhtarś views,I am left with no choice but to agree with Shoib fully.
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IDK Feb 11, 2021 03:52pm
Ironically enough, due to the whole Covid situation, the crowd, in fact, "groove nahi dekhe ga."
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CricDost Feb 11, 2021 03:55pm
Fact is anthem is trash, not catchy at all
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Waqas Feb 11, 2021 04:09pm
the song will make up for the 80% of absent crowd in the stadiums :)
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Salman Feb 11, 2021 04:29pm
Surprisingly, this is a good composition.
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Jamshed Qutabshahi Feb 11, 2021 05:09pm
He says his kids? Seriously? Dun look like a father.
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Adnan Feb 11, 2021 05:16pm
Dunno what the fuss is about... don’t like it keep it to yourself... you are a cricketer not a Britain’s got talent judge! Problem with our people is that they get carried away with stupid things... I personally love the track! Well done whoever has sung, composed, directed it! Top stuff!
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Sami Feb 11, 2021 05:43pm
Honestly it’s a really bad song. Should not be played during the PSL or ever. Love these artists but this is a sub-standard work compared to previous PSL songs.
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khurram hameed Feb 11, 2021 05:54pm
but no one raised eyebrow when "angel eyes" came out...everyone(including celebs) was making fun of it...no one criticized that bashing
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Mujeeb Feb 11, 2021 06:41pm
I agree with other readers that it's a below-par song. I won't go as far as hating the song but IMHO it does not meet the standard of national representation and to be shown to a global audience.
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Mansoor K. Feb 11, 2021 07:13pm
I am with Shoaib Akhtar on this. Did not like it either. This one is even worse than last year's anthem when Asim Azhar had to apologize to all the fans who disliked his song.
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Heko Feb 11, 2021 07:47pm
Take a hit Turksih song, dub it in Urdu and we'll have an acceptable PSL Anthem, a satisfied nation and a bunch of happy Turks.
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Sayyar Khan Feb 11, 2021 08:00pm
@Sab Se Pehle Pakistan that’s why you call PCB as Punjab Cricket board so what’s so national about you
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Yousuf Feb 11, 2021 10:18pm
The song is actually very engaging and I enjoyed listening it. Shoaib's views are good when they are on cricket!
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Ahmer Khan Feb 11, 2021 11:34pm
I actually agree with Shoaib Akhtar. No one is talking about it should represent Pakistan as a nation. I only hear punjabi in the song. Is punjab pakistan ? Better give to it coke studio or velo sound to produce it next time. And please include balochi sindhi punjabi pashto urdu in the song. Thats how u represent Pakistan. And I just cant listen to high pitch voice of naseebo lal. It will make my ears bleed. Not to mention it is presented internationally.
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Parvez Feb 11, 2021 11:43pm
I thought the PSL anthem was brilliant ...... do we HAVE to criticize everything ?
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Ali S Feb 12, 2021 01:22am
It's an objectively terrible song that misses the point.
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Just Saying Feb 12, 2021 01:40am
I have not seen it but I m pretty sure he is right as actors ppl supporting it have no merit and talent themselves
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Syed Abbas (UK) Feb 12, 2021 01:41am
He has his opinion, just like you. Don't force your views is the key
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Syed Abbas (UK) Feb 12, 2021 02:28am
@Yousuf in which case you must also remember, this is also not your national anthem, but an anthem for a cricket tournament that will be seen across the globe, so it has to have that asthetic appeal for wider audience.
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Syed Abbas (UK) Feb 12, 2021 02:28am
Bring back Ali Zafar!
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Syed Faisal Feb 12, 2021 04:04am
It was a bit too much from Shoab Akhtar i guess. But it was kept playing as background music at Qaddafi stadium tonight which really gave a headache in the end...
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Akil Akhtar Feb 12, 2021 08:21am
Its a big drop from last PSL song....
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Malik Feb 12, 2021 08:36am
Shoaib Akhter is a legend! He should stay away from controversies. It will ruin the respect people have for this legend.
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Zack Feb 12, 2021 09:00am
I like it, especially Naseebo lal's part. Enjoyed it even more when it was playing in Stadium during 1st T20.
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Adil Jadoon Feb 12, 2021 09:08am
Looks pretty good to me...
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Sayyar Khan Feb 12, 2021 10:12am
Shoaib has hit low. Trying to make YouTube paycheck anything for the $$$
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AJ Feb 12, 2021 10:49am
Why is calling 'spade a spade' not cool? I thought freedom of expression was an integral part of liberalism? Probably, not an integral part of pseudo-liberalism.
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Ali Vaqar Awan Feb 12, 2021 11:25am
New PSL anthem is totally horrible. Its fine to have Naseebo and Aima Baiq but horrible to have 2 choozas doing rap. PSL is our primary event so anthem should have been better. Totally agree with Shoaib Akhtar.
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Anonymouseee Feb 12, 2021 11:27am
This is freedom of speech. showing has a right to express his views on his YouTube channel. If you disagree with his views, simply don’t watch his channel.
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Ghabranahai Feb 12, 2021 02:36pm
Shoaib is a tough nut who has played international cricket and has been at the receiving end of brutal criticism all his career. Pakistani showbiz celebrities need to toughen up and get used to receiving criticism in all its forms. They expect being flattered and put on a pedestal all the time.
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Shami Feb 12, 2021 04:35pm
Agree with Shoaib It is one the worst "sports anthem"
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Assad Feb 13, 2021 01:34am
Cool song. Shoaib can lump it!
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Khurram Feb 13, 2021 01:54am
I am sure cricketers get abuse far worse than this so I am sure the artists can handle it as well. He has probably done us a favor by saying what we really think of the song.
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AZAM AKBAR Feb 13, 2021 07:03pm
@Ahmer Khan Mr. Ahmer Khan, A song on national level must be in Urdu. This song degrades Urdu which is national language. Where is Pakistan going?
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Zartaj Gul Feb 13, 2021 07:33pm
Shoaib Akhtar is right here. Its a pathetic anthem. It looks good only for some village level Kushti.
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Zartaj Gul Feb 13, 2021 07:34pm
This anthem is like a surgical strike on Cricket.
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Zartaj Gul Feb 13, 2021 07:36pm
Taher Shah would have done a much better job here.
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Salman Anwar Feb 15, 2021 10:48pm
I love it. Well done
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