Tag: Wasim Akram

  • ‘PCB should delete the video and apologise,’ Wasim Akram shocked at cricket tribute video ‘minus the great Imran Khan’

    On Pakistan’s Independence Day, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) posted a video on X (formerly Twitter), paying tribute to Pakistan cricket over the years. “Making history isn’t just about one day, it’s about the legends we create and the tales we script…Pakistan Cricket Team – a legacy that echoes through time,” tweeted PCB with the video.

    https://twitter.com/TheRealPCB/status/1691091543350771712

    Interestingly, the video did not show former Pakistan cricket captain Imran Khan except for a short glimpse. You’d probably miss him if you blinked. Sports journalist Faizan Lakhani noticed this “bareek kaam”.

    PCB has come under fire since posting the video.

    Former cricket captain and one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time, Wasim Akram, slammed PCB in a tweet.

    “After long flights and hours of transit before reaching Sri Lanka, I got the shock of my life when I watched PCB’s short clip on the history of Pakistan cricket minus the great Imran Khan… political differences apart but Imran Khan is an icon of world cricket and developed Pakistan into a strong unit in his time and gave us a pathway… PCB should delete the video and apologise,” tweeted Wasim Akram on X (former Twitter).

    Caretaker Sports Minister and former pacer Wahab Riaz also criticised the PCB in a press conference.

    “We can never forget the ’92 World Cup. We can never forget the captain. We have always idealised him [Khan] and Insha’Allah, I believe the young generation will also idealise their stars,” said Wahab Riaz.

    Imran Khan is considered to be one of the best and most iconic players in Pakistan’s cricket history. Khan played 88 Tests and 175 ODIs for Pakistan. Khan also led Pakistan to its first series victory in England in 1987 and under his captaincy, Pakistan won the 1992 World Cup.

    Former Captain Pakistan Women’s Cricket Urooj Mumtaz Khan took a dig at PCB and posted, “Imran Khan will go down in history as one of the greats of the global game!”

    Here are some other reactions from users on X (former Twitter):

  • ‘Even as a cricketer, you’re an actor’: Wasim Akram talks to The Current about why he chose to act in ‘Money Back Guarantee’

    ‘Even as a cricketer, you’re an actor’: Wasim Akram talks to The Current about why he chose to act in ‘Money Back Guarantee’

    In an exclusive interview with The Current, cricket great and commentator Wasim Akram along with his wife, philanthropist Shaniera Akram, discussed their upcoming film ‘Money Back Guarantee’.

    The film plays host to a star-studded cast with the names of actors like Fawad Khan, Ali Safina, Ayesha Omar and Mikaal Zulfiqaar on the marquee.

    When asked about why he chose to venture into acting after 25 years in cricket and commentary, Akram opened up about his decision:

    “I have been acting for 25 years not just for television commercial or brands. And before that, even during the time I was a cricketer”, the 56-year-old former captain of the Pakistan team said. “When you’re on the field you have to be mindful about where you have to be angry, where you want to be excited, where you have to have a go at one of your fielders when they have dropped a catch.”

    Akram revealed that he had always enjoyed watching movies and television shows, and was grateful for the opportunity writer and director Faisal Quraishi gave him by casting him in ‘Money Back Guarantee’.

    “I enjoy watching movies…especially on Netflix, Amazon Prime, Stand TV in Australia. I watch very different movies too, so credit goes to Faisal who convinced me to give it a go,” the former pacer told us.

    Akram also shared that this was not something he was making a career out of at this stage, but thought, “Why not, let’s give it a go?”

    The complete interview with Wasim Akram and Shaniera Akram will be released on The Current’s YouTube channel on the first day of Eid.

  • Shaniera Akram opens up about first acting experience in ‘Money Back Guarentee’

    Australian-born philanthropist Shaniera Akram is making her film debut with ‘Money Back Guarentee’ which also stars her husband Wasim Akram and Fawad Khan as the main leads. The supporting cast of the movie include Ayesha Omar, Javed Sheikh, Gohar Rasheed among others.

    Akram opened up about why she chose to act in the film, revealing that the director Faisal Qureshi had reached out to her and her husband with the script:

    ‘The director of the film reached out to me and Wasim about whether we would like to take part in his film, and then when he sent us the script, I found it to be incredibly funny and excellent. After that, we both agreed to take part in the project.”

    Akram also talked about the kind of role she would be playing in ‘Money Back Guarentee’:

    “I have a neutral character in this film. I play an American woman who, along with some other Americans, comes to Pakistan… I am not allowed to talk about my role in the film, but I had a lot of fun playing this part.”

    Akram revealed that she loved acting and would like to do more films in the future, as well as write stories for Pakistani cinemas:

    “I will definately keep on acting in the future because i loved this role, and I enjoy performing in front of the camera. I think i would love to play more challenging roles ahead. I would like to do more roles where speaking Urdu is a requirement, I have a really good memory so I can memorize dialogues and speak them in a better manner. I would need to take guidance from a coach as well…I would love to write a few stories, I have a few amazing ideas for Pakistani cinemas. But I would love to act in a role which would reflect my experience of staying in Pakistan, especially when I came to this country for the first time. I think this would be quite an interesting.”

    Akram revealed she was nervous about how Pakistani audiences would respond to seeing her on the screen, adding:

    “I’m not sure if Pakistani audiences would be willing to see me on television screens. I can only find out after they watch me in my first film.”

    Listen to the complete interview below:

  • ‘You’re ignored’: Feroze Khan lashes out at Shaniera Akram, calls her ‘Tom, Dick and Neira’

    ‘You’re ignored’: Feroze Khan lashes out at Shaniera Akram, calls her ‘Tom, Dick and Neira’

    Activist Shaniera Akram recently posted a screenshot of actor Feroze Khan driving with his child in his lap to reiterate how such an act can be life-threatening. The post instantly made rounds on social media, with many people chiming in on the discussion about road safety. Defending his action, Khan has now responded to Akram on the same.

    Taking to Instagram, the actor shared a video of Khabib Nurmagomedov, a popular Russian MMA fighter wrestling with a brown bear. Referring to the fighter, Khan said, “World’s number one fighter! Glad he didn’t listen to you [Shaniera] or your father while being trained or would’ve wasted his talent.”

    Khan then noted how he’s much more knowledgeable about cars and safety rules than Akram. “I’m part of the Pakistan Professional Racing Fraternity for the past two years. I understand the sensitivity a lot more than you can,” he shared.

    Moving on, the Habs actor shrugged off Akram’s concerns, letting her know that he still has all the support. “Let me do me, and you do you. You’re heard and ignored. I’m back to business,” concluded Khan.

    Upon seeing Khan’s reply, Akram also posted an Instagram Story requesting the actor to stop sending videos with ‘animal cruelty’. “I have no idea what this means, please refrain from sending me sick, cryptic animal cruelty videos.”

    Once again taking a dig at the Money Back Guarantee actor, Khan then let Akram know that she would never truly understand his stance. “I have already requested Wasim bhai to translate. You wouldn’t get it, requires strength and understanding,” replied the Tich Button actor.

    The Khaani star also addressed his followers to stop believing anyone on the internet. He said, “Don’t listen to just any Tom, Dick, and Neira [Shaniera]. You all know what I mean. Focus means focus.”

    Farhan Saeed’s Alleged Jibe

    Amidst Feroze-Shaniera’s feud, Khan’s Tich Button co-star Farhan Saeed posted a cryptic message, “Do not argue with Jahil (illiterate), he will bring you down to his level and then beat you with his experience.”

    This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 320524611_1319740768775842_8557958312234851032_n-e1671536534166.jpg

    Many netizens believe that this post is directed toward Feroze.

  • Wasim Akram opens up about ‘match fixing tag’

    Wasim Akram opens up about ‘match fixing tag’

    The Sultan of Swing, Wasim Akram, has opened up about a charge that has followed him for much of his career.

    In in an interview with Wide World of Sports, the left-arm great talked about the allegations of match fixing that were levelled on him while he was still playing.

    Revealing that the charges drove him toward penning his autobiography, Sultan: A Memoir, Akram said, “In Australia, England, West Indies and India, when they talk about the World XI, when they talk about the best bowler in the world, my name pops up. But in Pakistan, this generation, this social media generation, they are the one who come down, every comment they send, they say, ‘Oh, he is a match fixer’, not knowing what it was.”

    “I have passed that stage in my life where I have to worry about people,” he emphasized.

    Earlier, in an interview with The Times he gave sensational details of his battle with cocaine addiction after his playing career came to an end. In his book Akram incorporated memories from both his personal and professional lives. He also discussed Imran Khan and the 1992 World Cup in the book. The cricketer is said to have disclosed some significant but previously unreported cricket-related incidents

  • ‘Pakistan definitely out-bowled, out-batted and out-fielded New Zealand’: Former Indian captain Anil Kumble

    ‘Pakistan definitely out-bowled, out-batted and out-fielded New Zealand’: Former Indian captain Anil Kumble

    Anil Kumble, a former captain of India, said on ESPNcricinfo’s T20 Time Out show that Pakistan “definitely out-bowled New Zealand, they out-batted New Zealand, but most importantly, they out-fielded New Zealand, which is very, very rare.”

    Tom Moody, a former all-rounder for Australia, picked up a specific moment during New Zealand’s powerplay that was a reflection of Pakistan’s level of dedication on Wednesday.

    “The tone for me was set with one piece of fielding,” Moody said. “And it’s not the run-out. It’s before the run-out [of Devon Conway]. It was by Shadab [Khan], who was at mid-on, dived and stopped the ball from going for four.

    “Kane Williamson played a beautiful on-drive, a straight on-drive, and he [Shadab] saved two runs. And that to me set the tone for the way they were going to operate as a team. You talk about body language but you need moments like that to lift the unit and that’s the standard that he basically said ‘this is the standard we are going to set today.”

    New Zealand was limited to 38 for 2 on the powerplay as a result of Pakistan’s outstanding fielding in the circle. Shadab’s straight shot to run out Conway produced the second wicket. Pakistan eventually managed to restrict New Zealand to 152 for 8, winning with seven wickets and five balls remaining.

    Kumble applauded Haris’ contribution to the match, which includes his 89 runs with a strike rate of 161.81 since joining the team to fill in for Fakhar Zaman.

    “Looking at him [Haris], he looks like a free spirit,” Kumble said. “He’s not bothered about getting his eye in or what if the first ball he gets out. That’s what you want in a T20 game.”

    New Zealand captain Kane Williamson said that “We were put under pressure early, they bowled really well and it was thanks to an unbelievable knock from Daryl Mitchell that we got some momentum back.

    Read more: ‘I think our team looks good, we might just win the final’: Imran Khan

    “At halfway, we thought it was a competitive total because we knew the pitch was a used surface, it was tough.

    “But it’s really disappointing to not make Pakistan work harder for those runs, they were absolutely outstanding today and credit has to go to them.”

    In the meantime, Shoaib Akhtar, a Pakistani fast bowler, was also overjoyed with Pakistan’s victory.

    Former South African allrounder Vernon Philander joined in congratulating Pakistan for making it into the final.

    Wasim Akram added his congratulations to those on the side of Pakistani team.

    Irfan Pathan, an Indian all-rounder, sent a message as well, praising the Pakistani team for overcoming a near-certain elimination from the competition to reach the final.

  • Wasim Akram reveals he got addicted to cocaine

    Wasim Akram reveals he got addicted to cocaine

    Former captain of Pakistan, Wasim Akram, in his his autobiography book, “Sultan Wasim Akram” has given details of his battle with cocaine addiction after his playing career came to an end.

    Extracts from his book were published alongside his interview in The Times.

    “I liked to indulge myself; I liked to party,” he writes. “The culture of fame in South Asia is all consuming, seductive and corrupting. You can go to ten parties a night, and some do. And it took its toll on me. My devices turned into vices.”

    “Worst of all, I developed a dependence on cocaine. It started innocuously enough when I was offered a line at a party in England; my use grew steadily more serious, to the point that I felt I needed it to function,” the great bowler has stated in his revealing autobiography.

    Admitting that the drug made him volatile and deceiving, The Sultan of Swing then talks about the effects of his usage on his late wife. “Huma, I know, was often lonely in this time . . . she would talk of her desire to move to Karachi, to be nearer to her parents and siblings. I was reluctant. Why? Partly because I liked going to Karachi on my own, pretending it was work when it was actually about partying, often for days at a time.”

    Huma eventually found out, writes Akram, when she discovered a packet of cocaine in his wallet. “‘You need help.’ I agreed. It was getting out of hand. I couldn’t control it. One line would become two, two would become four; four would become a gram, a gram would become two. I could not sleep. I could not eat. I grew inattentive to my diabetes, which caused me headaches and mood swings. Like a lot of addicts, part of me welcomed discovery: the secrecy had been exhausting.”
    Talking about his rehab stint, Wasim says, “The doctor was a complete con man, who worked primarily on manipulating families rather than treating patients, on separating relatives from money rather than users from drugs.”

    “Try as I might, part of me was still smouldering inside about the indignity of what I’d been put through. My pride was hurt, and the lure of my lifestyle remained. I briefly contemplated divorce. I settled for heading to the 2009 ICC Champions Trophy where, out from under Huma’s daily scrutiny, I started using again.” Akram says the cocaine use ended after Huma’s death in October 2009 from the rare fungal infection mucormycosis.

    In his book, Akram incorporated memories from both his personal and professional lives. He also discussed Imran Khan and the 1992 World Cup in the book.
    The cricketer allegedly disclosed some significant but previously unreported cricket-related occurrences.

  • Wasim Akram’s upcoming autobiography book to include some shocking revelations

    Wasim Akram’s upcoming autobiography book to include some shocking revelations

    Former captain of Pakistan Wasim Akram has announced that his autobiography book, “Sultan Wasim Akram,” will be released in the coming weeks.

    The “Sultan of Swing” made the announcement on Twitter, writing: “Finally you will know the truth & my side of the story! Details and dates soon to follow, stay tuned…”

    Details indicate that the Justice Malik Qayyum Commission report, match-fixing, and cricket celebrities would come under a lot of shocking relevations. There will be various translations of the book, including Urdu.

    In his book, Akram incorporated memories from both his personal and professional lives. He also discussed Imran Khan and the 1992 World Cup in the book.

    The cricketer allegedly disclosed some significant but previously unreported cricket-related occurrences.

  • ‘Thora sa Shehzad Roy aap mein bhi hai,’ Twitter reacts to Wasim Akram’s picture

    ‘Thora sa Shehzad Roy aap mein bhi hai,’ Twitter reacts to Wasim Akram’s picture

    Former Pakistan captain and bowling ace Wasim Akram on Saturday shared two pictures with the caption: “Almost 30 years apart.”

    In the throwback picture, Akram can be seen wearing a brown jacket and shades while he is casually walking. In the latest picture, Akram is seen standing in front of a window with a blue jacket.

    Netizens reacted to Wasim Akram’s tweet in awe. One user wrote:

    “Thora sa Shehzad Roy aap mein bhi hai. Not aging at all.”

    PML-N Miftah Ismail also reacted.

    Another user commented that Akram’s taste in clothing was far better back then. What happened Wasim.”

    One user suggested that Akram should pose for a picture with the same dress and style that he wore 30 years ago.

    Recently, Wasim Akram was seen wearing a suit in a swimming pool in a video with a special message for trolls.

    Wasim said that last year he posted a video in a swimming pool, and some people started criticising him for being shirtless

    “Are you happy now? I’m swimming wearing a suit,” said Wasim to his trolls.

  • VIDEO: Wasim Akram wears suit to swimming pool, gives a special message to trolls

    VIDEO: Wasim Akram wears suit to swimming pool, gives a special message to trolls

    In a video circulating on social media, cricket legend Wasim Akram can be seen wearing a suit in a swimming pool. In the video, Akram gave a special message to people who trolled him “like grandfathers”.

    Wasim said that last year he posted a video in a swimming pool, and some people started criticising him for being shirtless.

    “Are you happy now? I’m swimming wearing a suit,” said Wasim to his trolls.

    Wasim’s wife Shaniera also shared the video of her husband jumping into a swimming pool while wearing a suit.

    https://twitter.com/iamShaniera/status/1514845867299201027

    In September 2020, Wasim posted a video of himself in the swimming pool. Soon after he posted the video, social media users came under his post to criticise him for not wearing a shirt.