Fast-bowling great Wasim Akram was honored by a life-sized statue in Hyderabad, Pakistan, but it had the opposite effect to what was intended — leaving fans laughing and feeling sorry for the cricketer on social media. The statute, reportedly unveiled in April, got popular overnight after a meme page on X (formerly Twitter) shared a photo of it, inviting thousands of impressions and hilarious one-liners. The life-size statue outside the Niaz Stadium had Akram in Pakistan’s jersey from the 1999 World Cup. It showed him in his bowling stride, loading the famous slingy action. Although the maker did a good job in getting the dimensions and his body structure right, his face looked quite different, with his frown of effort seeming like one of sadness. His hair also made the former captain look quite old. “Made with 10% cement, 90% disappointment ?,” one user wrote. Another said, “Even a legend like Wasim Akram might not recognize himself here. DRS Needed ?” Check more reactions here: Temu version of Wasim Akram’s statue ?🤭 After this: Wasim Akram stopped chatting with the lads in the morning.? https://t.co/grQTknTRE6 — Sidra (@sidzu04) June 6, 2025 sorry @wasimakramlive ? https://t.co/LfI6zFEP2l — Xulaman (@SulamanShabir) June 5, 2025 Ubla Huwa Wasjm Akram https://t.co/qsiwpPrEDq — Aleena Farooq ?? (@PinaCol51642329) June 5, 2025 Shaktiman ? https://t.co/chNc1NSxNS — Saif Zuberi ?? ?? (@SaifZuberi617) June 5, 2025 Wasim Akram after seeing his statue: https://t.co/X7HgaviX5f pic.twitter.com/oDawESDGj0 — ? (@HBA_162) June 5, 2025 Wasim Akram’s statue at Hyderabad stadium@wasimakramlive fainted after watching this 🥹 pic.twitter.com/Yzfzt3I1W8 — Raza Hashmey (@papabureau87) June 5, 2025 The reaction is not too different from the time when the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai unveiled the statue of the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, who fans felt resembled Australia’s Steve Smith more. Akram represented Pakistan in international cricket from 1984 to 2003, participating in 104 Test matches and 356 One Day Internationals (ODIs). In Tests, he took 414 wickets at an average of 23.62, and in ODIs, he claimed 502 wickets at an average of 23.52, becoming the first bowler to achieve 500 ODI wickets. Skilled with the bat as well, he scored over 6,000 runs across formats, with his highest Test score being 257 not out. Akram was a member of Pakistan’s 1992 World Cup-winning team and competed in four World Cups overall. Additionally, he captained Pakistan in 25 Tests and 109 ODIs. Having worked as a coach in the IPL, for domestic sides, and briefly for the men’s national Pakistani team, too, he currently does commentary and broadcast stints around the world.