Wasim Akram’s Statue Outside Hyderabad Stadium Becomes Top Meme Material

Wasim Akram is arguably one of the greatest ODI cricketer to don the famous green of the Pakistan cricket team, and every corner of this country has its own unique way of honouring the legend. Niaz Stadium in Hyderabad decided to show their affection with a statue honouring the great man. The only issue: they didn’t quite nail his likeness.

Unveiled in April 2025, the statue has started gaining traction just recently, but not for its craftsmanship, rather the lack thereof.

Ladies and gentlemen, the “Wasim Akram-but-not-quite” statue that has just caught the people’s attention at Hyderabad’s Niaz Stadium. The work of art(?) is so unforgettable, it might just earn a place in Pakistan’s meme hall of fame.

Let’s be fair, the intention behind this tribute was heartwarming. A nod to the Sultan of Swing, the left-arm maestro who tormented batters worldwide with reverse swing sorcery. But somewhere between the mold and final paint job, the tribute took a wild turn, like a wayward outswinger on an English pitch.

This statue, if it is indeed of Wasim Akram, depicts the great man in the middle of his iconic bowling action, well sort of. His arm’s up, the ball’s in hand, and the shirt says “Pakistan,” but the face? Well, the face says a “child that has been told off by his mum.”

In case you are wondering if it is really that bad, just take a look here:

Within hours of the statue’s image going viral, social media erupted with jokes and some genuine concern. “Temu Wasim Akram?” asked one user. “Do they hate him?” asked another. One fan even joked that Wasim only made such a face when he “Couldn’t have a conversation before a match.”

In any other case, the creator could be forgiven for the shoddy work, but let’s not forget, this is Wasim Akram. 414 Test wickets. 502 in ODIs. A World Cup winner. The architect of reverse swing. And for all his greatness, this statue does not do justice to the tribute that should be given to him.

We aren’t strangers to some truly awful sculptures of our national heroes. Someone remember the Quaid-e-Azam and Allama Iqbal ones from a few years back? So maybe we should start taking this a bit more seriously.

Perhaps the good folks at Niaz Stadium should consider outsourcing the next statue. Better yet, maybe let Wasim himself approve the prototype before casting it in whatever this was made of.

PCB is planning on renovating Niaz Stadium soon and probably should start by removing this. Because if we’re going to revive international cricket at Niaz Stadium, let’s start by not scaring visiting players.

Until then, the statue will remain, an unintentional comedy masterpiece, an art installation of confusion, and the only thing in Pakistan that can make even Wasim Akram’s fiercest deliveries look tame.