After the conclusion of the 2019 ODI World Cup in England, two Pakistan fans turned out to be an overnight ‘meme sensation’.
One was Momin Sadiq, who went viral for his satirical rant over Pakistan’s humiliating loss to India in the multilateral event last year.
The other was Sarim Akhtar, who hadn’t uttered even a single word, yet turned into a meme instantly. It all started during the Pakistan-Australia World Cup encounter at Taunton.
Australians were going great guns by the end of 35 overs, on the back of a super opening partnership between captain Aaron Finch and centurion David Warner.
With the new man in, in the form of Shaun Marsh, Pakistan intended to pull the game back, with the score at 236-3. Meanwhile, the Kangaroos wanted to put the step on the accelerator.
In the first ball of the 37th over, Marsh slashed a short delivery from Wahab Riaz towards third-man.
After making good ground, Asif Ali was in a comfortable position to grab a simple catch but ended up grassing it, much to the disappointment of Riaz, the Pakistan team and fans.
However, the cameras instantly caught Sarim in the backdrop, with his arms on his waist and a hilariously dejected look. He, thereby, became an instant online sensation. Netizens still use Akhtar’s picture from the game to create memes, leaving one and all in splits.
Now, Akhtar has made an appearance again, this time, wishing the Pakistan team ‘all the best’ ahead of the Test series against England.
“Arey yaar! Bas Kar! Ek sal ho Gaya! (Stop it, it has been a year!),” he said in the video released by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
“The Pakistan team have come to England for a Test series! Wow, what an exciting time! Well a simple message for Pakistan, play with pride and passion. Last time we had drawn the series and this time we have to win. With a simple message, if the ball is outside off let it go,” he added.
Play with pride and passion!
The meme fame Sarim has a simple message for team Pakistan.
Send in your messages for Pakistan team using #SuperFans pic.twitter.com/gQszBbL7Fc
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 3, 2020
