In a playful twist, FIFA recently imitated Pakistan pace bowler Hasan Ali in an Instagram post celebrating England winger Bukayo Saka. This fun reference came after Saka scored a crucial 80th-minute goal to level the scores in the Euro Cup 2024 quarter-final against Switzerland.
FIFA posted a picture of Saka with the caption “Saka karlega,” mimicking Hasan Ali’s infamous “King karlega” comment from a podcast appearance last year.
This phrase, which translates to “Saka will do it,” was a nod to Hasan’s high praise for Pakistan captain Babar Azam, whom the players affectionately call “King.”
Switzerland’s Breel Embolo opened the scoring in the 75th minute, but Saka quickly equalized just five minutes later. England eventually triumphed in the match, winning 5-3 on penalties and advancing to face the Netherlands in the semi-finals on July 11.
Interestingly, FIFA’s Instagram post was targeted specifically at the Pakistani audience, making it visible only in Pakistan. This clever localization strategy shows FIFA’s engagement with global audiences through culturally relevant references.
Hasan Ali’s ‘King karlega’ Moment
Hasan Ali’s comment, made during a chat on Daniyal Sheikh’s podcast in September last year, became a viral sensation.
During the conversation, Hasan Ali revealed that the Pakistan team refers to Babar Azam as “King” in the dressing room.
His exact words were, “Hum usko Babar nahi King kehte hain… Yaar King karlega,” which translates to, “We don’t call him Babar, we call him King… Man, the King will do it.”
This phrase quickly caught on with cricket fans, turning into a popular meme, especially around the ICC ODI World Cup 2023. Hasan Ali’s surprising inclusion in the World Cup squad led many to believe his comments may have influenced his selection.
Unfortunately, Pakistan’s performance in the World Cup was disappointing, and Hasan’s comments were frequently brought up by fans in a humorous context.
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