It wasn’t about former Pakistani cricket team players returning to the field, assuming coaching roles, or stepping into any official capacity, even though that is exactly what many people assumed.
For nearly a week, Pakistani social media was in a mild frenzy after short video clips featuring Younis Khan, Shoaib Malik, Abdul Razzaq, and Saeed Ajmal began circulating online, hinting at something related to “selection,” fitness, or being considered, and these remarks, mostly taken out of context, were enough to set off widespread speculation.
The intrigue deepened when comedian and television host Tabish Hashmi appeared to “break” the news in his familiar tongue-in-cheek style. His involvement lent the speculation enough credibility to blur the line between humour and possibility. Was something brewing behind the scenes? Were former players being lined up for a role of some sort?
These videos gained massive traction on social media. Some users treated the hints as playful banter, others read them as deliberate signals. What sustained the buzz was the lack of clarification.
The speculation was finally put to rest by a witty and delighful television commercial, revealing that the entire episode was part of an advertising campaign by Ufone. The “selection” everyone was debating turned out to be a play on the idea of choosing, not players for a team, but people for a group, tied to the telecom operator’s Super 5 package, which allows users to select four friends or family members and share mobile resources within that circle. In this case, as the ad reveals, ‘selector’ Tabish Hashmi had chosen all four legendary players for his group of Super 5.
As the curtain dropped, the players joined the fun in revealing the campaign. Sharing the ad on his X handle, Saeed Ajmal wrote, “Asal science ye thi.”
https://x.com/REALsaeedajmal/status/2020488989644410970?s=20
Shoaib Malik said, “Debate yeh thi ke selection ho gi ya nahi. Meri tou Super 5 mein ho gayi 😁.”
https://x.com/realshoaibmalik/status/2020485673644327076?s=20
Younis Khan further emphasized his claim to fitness, “Main itna fit hoon ke Super 5 mein select ho gaya hoon 😌.”
https://x.com/YounisK75/status/2020486436084953164?s=20
In hindsight, the misdirection felt intentional and familiar. Ufone has long relied on humour, cultural cues, and teasing narratives to capture attention before revealing the full picture. This latest campaign sits comfortably within that legacy.
As advertising increasingly competes with endless scrolling and shrinking attention spans, campaigns that lean on wit, restraint, and cultural familiarity tend to travel further, something Ufone profoundly understands and capitalizes.
Watch the full advertisement here: https://www.facebook.com/reel/3281001422077381
