Hyderabad, India – A life-size statue of legendary Pakistani fast bowler Wasim Akram, recently unveiled in Hyderabad, has become the subject of widespread amusement and relentless trolling on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Far from being a dignified tribute, the statue’s peculiar appearance has triggered a “laugh riot” among netizens, with many questioning its artistic merit and uncanny resemblance (or lack thereof) to the “Sultan of Swing.”
Unveiling and Immediate Backlash
The statue, reportedly installed by a local fan or organization, quickly went viral after images began circulating online. Instead of eliciting admiration, the sculpture’s disproportionate features, awkward pose, and questionable facial rendition immediately drew criticism. Many pointed out that the statue bore little resemblance to the athletic and charismatic Akram, with some even suggesting it looked more like a caricature or a generic figure with a cricket bat.
A Flood of Memes and Jokes on X
The unveiling proved to be fertile ground for India’s famously witty and sarcastic social media users. X was inundated with memes, jokes, and satirical comments, with the hashtag related to the statue quickly trending. Users creatively highlighted the statue’s perceived flaws, comparing it to various unflattering figures and situations.
’99 World Cup Ka Badla Liya Hai’: The Most Popular Troll
Among the myriad of humorous reactions, one particular sentiment resonated strongly and became the most popular troll: “99 World Cup ka badla liya hai” (This is revenge for the ’99 World Cup). This widely shared jibe refers to Pakistan’s dominant performance against India in the 1999 Cricket World Cup, where Wasim Akram played a pivotal role in Pakistan’s victory over their arch-rivals in the Super Six stage. The jibe, while lighthearted, subtly hints at a long-standing cricketing rivalry and the playful nature of sports-related banter.
Other Hilarious Reactions
Beyond the ’99 World Cup jab, users came up with a plethora of other hilarious observations:
- “Is this Wasim Akram or his long-lost twin?”
- “Looks like someone tried to sculpt Wasim Akram after watching his highlights on a very low-resolution screen.”
- “Even Wasim Akram himself would struggle to recognize this.”
- “They clearly spent more time on the cricket bat than on the face.”
A Lesson in Public Art (and Trolling)
While the statue’s intention might have been to honor a cricketing legend, its execution has inadvertently turned it into a prime example of how not to create public art. More importantly, it has once again showcased the power and quick-wittedness of social media, where anything even slightly out of the ordinary can become an instant sensation and a target for humorous trolling.
As the images continue to circulate, Wasim Akram’s bizarre statue in Hyderabad remains a testament to the fact that sometimes, even the most well-intentioned tributes can lead to unexpected bursts of laughter and online hilarity.
