KARACHI: While Peshawar Zalmi are placed at number four on the Pakistan Super League (PSL) points table, the side has already won the battle of the anthems by rolling out two songs, featuring Zarsanga, ‘the Queen of Pashto folklore,’ and pop star Farhan Saeed, that have already struck a chord with fans in Pakistan and around the world. 
Beginning with the melodious voice of Zarsanga and featuring renowned Pakistani actor Mahira Khan, who channels her inner Mulan as a zen avatar, Zalmi’s main anthem, Aya Zalmi, for the PSL seventh edition “symbolizes metaphorical representation of life.” 
“As long as we have self-belief, God surely will help us. We are Zalmi Pashtuns. We spread love in every field,” proclaim the lyrics of the opening verse sung by Zarsanga. 
The Pashto and Urdu song features singers Zarsanga, Sunny Khan Durrani, Zoha Zuberi, Tayyab Rehman and Zara Madani. 
“This Zalmi anthem symbolizes metaphorical representation of life,” reads the song’s description on YouTube. “It is all about finding your inner peace and the fight with self to reach one’s true potential.” 
The song’s executive producer is Rohail Hyatt, the famed music composer who launched Coke Studio in Pakistan, while Ali Mustafa has been credited as its music producer. 
Directed by Hassan Dawar, the music video features actors Mahira Khan, Ali Rehman and numerous cricketers from Peshawar Zalmi, with skipper Wahab Riaz essaying the character of a Jedi master. Other players featuring in the video are veteran all-rounder and former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal, Hussain Talat and Usman Qadir. 
The song has earned adulation from fans of Pakistan cricket on Twitter. 
“Peshawar Zalmi always puts out the best anthem of PSL whether it’s the song, the lyrics, the video or cinematography, everything is just perfect. And wow Mahira Khan in the recent anthem,” one fan, Waheed, wrote on Twitter. 

“#AayaZALMI anthem is lit!! Next level editing!! #HBLPSL7,” another Zalmi fan said. 

Zarsanga, a recipient of the Pride of Performance award, does the magic with her potent delivery, which perfectly meshes with the upbeat sound. 
Speaking to Arab News, Zarsanga’s son Hijran Khan said his mother was overjoyed after being told she would be singing for the most popular cricket league in Pakistan. 
A fan, Muhammad Ibrahim, praised Zarsanga: “So #PeshawarZalmi’s anthem is finally here, Zarsanga’s voice is at a whole another level!” 

Another fan wrote the “anthem war” had been won by Zalmi and now it was time for the ‘Yello Storm’ to bring home the trophy for a second time. 
“Video cinematography music anthem war won by Zalmi In Sha Allah, the trophy cabinet will be decorated with the 2nd one this season,” he said. 

The second anthem “Har Qadam Zalmi” has been sung by pop star Farhan Saeed and features the rap trio, Fortitude. The video for the song features renowned actors, Hania Aamir and Ali Rehman. 
Peshawar Zalmi skipper Wahab Riaz and other players feature in the second anthem as well, which lived up to the expectations and earned praise from Pakistani fans on Twitter. 
“Farhan Saeed singing in PASHTO is the best thing that happened,” one fan wrote. 

“Artists including @farhan_saeed, Fortitude, @alirehmankhan & @realhaniahehe, #HarQadamHaiZalmi is more than just a song,” Sarah Rehman wrote. 
“It’s the anthem of cricket, it’s a uniting force and an affirmation of nation’s love for the game & the team!” 

Peshawar Zalmi will take on the formidable and an undefeated Multan Sultans at 7:30pm today at the National Stadium in Karachi.