The legendary fast bowler Wasim Akram received an honor with a life-size statue erected in his likeness in Hyderabad, Pakistan. However, this tribute unexpectedly led to amusement rather than reverence among cricket enthusiasts online. After a meme account on X (previously known as Twitter) posted a picture of the statue, it quickly gained traction, amassing numerous views and generating waves of comical comments from internet users. This resulted in fans both chuckling at the statue’s appearance and expressing sympathy for the cricketer himself.
The full-sized statue located outside Niaz Stadium depicted Akram wearing Pakistan’s jersey from the 1999 Cricket World Cup. It captured him mid-bowling, showcasing his iconic slinging motion. Despite the artist accurately capturing his proportions and physique, the facial features were noticeably off—his concentrated scowl appeared more sorrowful than determined. Additionally, his hairstyle aged him beyond recognition, making the ex-captain seem much older than he was during his playing days.
“Composed of 10% cement and 90% frustration 😂," commented one user."
Someone else commented, "Even a legendary player like Wasim Akram might not identify himself in this scenario. DRS needed 😔"
Check more reactions here:
The response isn’t much different from the occasion when the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai revealed the statue of the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, which many fans thought looked like Australia’s Steve Smith instead.
Akram played for Pakistan in international cricket between 1984 and 2003, featuring in 104 Test matches and 356 One Day International (ODI) games. During his Test career, he secured 414 wickets with an average of 23.62 runs per wicket. In ODIs, Akram achieved 502 wickets averaging 23.52 each, making him the first player ever to reach the milestone of 500 ODI scalps.
Proficient with the bat as well, he accumulated more than 6,000 runs across various forms of cricket, achieving his peak Test score at 257 not out. Akram was part of Pakistan’s victorious squad in the 1992 Cricket World Cup and participated in a total of four such tournaments. Moreover, he led Pakistan in 25 Test matches and 109 One Day Internationals.
With experience as an IPL coach, mentor for various domestic teams, and a short stint with the Pakistan men's national team, he now focuses on providing commentary and participating in broadcasts globally.