A recently unveiled statue of legendary fast bowler Waseem Akram at Hyderabad’s historic Niaz Stadium has sparked widespread criticism on social media, with fans expressing disappointment over its lack of resemblance to the cricket icon.
The statue, meant to commemorate Akram’s illustrious cricket career, especially his signature bowling stance, was intended as a tribute to his contributions to Pakistan cricket. However, soon after its unveiling, images of the statue began circulating online—prompting ridicule due to its facial inaccuracy and disproportionate features.
Fans and commentators were quick to point out that the statue bears little similarity to Akram’s actual appearance, either during his playing days or in recent years. Social media platforms were flooded with humorous takes, with one user calling it the “Temu version of Waseem Akram,” and another remarking, “Waseem with 100 face surgeries.” Some questioned whether the cricketer himself would feel “honoured or horrified” by the final result.
The backlash underscores growing concerns around the quality and authenticity of public statues in Pakistan, especially those meant to represent national figures. Despite the good intentions behind the tribute, many believe such representations do a disservice to the legacy of sports icons when not executed with accuracy and artistic care.
Waseem Akram, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest left-arm fast bowlers in cricket history, has yet to comment publicly on the controversy. He remains a beloved figure in Pakistan, not just for his cricketing achievements, but also for his presence as a television host and commentator.
As the debate continues online, calls have emerged for the authorities to either revise or replace the statue to better reflect the stature of the man it aims to honour.
