Aayal QureshiDubai, UAE – Wasim Akram Junior, a rising talent in UAE cricket, had the dream encounter of a lifetime when he unexpectedly met his cricket idol, the legendary Pakistani pacer Wasim Akram. The meeting occurred during an interview at the Dubai International Stadium, where Akram is present as part of the DP World ILT20 Season 2 commentary panel.
Named after the cricket icon by his father, Wasim Akram Junior expressed his excitement, stating, “It was so great to meet the legend Wasim Akram. I have been following him and his bowling for many years so that I can learn and become a good bowler.” The 28-year-old, who emulates Akram’s left-arm pace and left-handed batting, recently garnered attention with a remarkable 6/21 bowling spell for the ILT20 Thunderbolts in the ILT20 Development Tournament 2023.
Wasim Akram, impressed by the young left-armer’s talent, praised his performance and offered valuable advice. Akram expressed his willingness to spend time with Wasim Akram Junior in the nets during this UAE tour, emphasizing the bright future he sees for the aspiring cricketer.
Wasim Akram Junior revealed his aspiration to learn Akram’s famous out-swinger, stating, “If I could learn any skill from him, then it would have to be the out-swinger because there are no words to describe how well he executed it.” The young pacer considers the ongoing DP World ILT20 Season 2 as a crucial platform for UAE cricketers to showcase their talent.
The 10-minute interaction between the two Wasims was described by Wasim Akram Junior as the realization of a long-cherished dream. He emphasized his determination to absorb as much knowledge as possible from the cricket legend, aiming to incorporate it into his game for a successful cricketing career.
