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Why do Indian fans love Wasim Akram so much more than other Pakistani greats?

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Statsman

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The love for Akram is clearly disproportional. There's not so much for other greats like Waqar, Anwar, Zaheer, Miandad (from a cricketing perspective), YK, Afridi (in terms of popularity), Akhtar, or even Imran.
 
A combination of reasons:-
1) Great bowler
2) Non-jingostic
3) Associated with IPL
4) Not shy of helping our bowlers and dishing out praise for our players.
5) Charming and generally liekable.
 
Same reason why many Pakistanis admire Kohli these days. They earned the respect. You don't need to be on good terms with each other to earn respect, so doesn't matter if it's Pakistan India or China North Korea. Respect is universal. Once it is earned, it's the same for all.
 
For me mainly because I love exciting bowlers and those with great ball skills.

I love Anderson's bowling for the same reason (though I don't like the guy as a person) as he moves the ball like a string attached to it. Wasim used to do it at high pace on all tracks, and had a great bouncer and yorker as well.

I love MJ's bowling at his peak for the same reason (as he is exciting wrt his pace and bounce).

I'm not really a great fan of most Pak batsmen but their bowlers mainly Wasim, as you admire most what you don't have and not what you already have.

Furthermore, he is a very grounded person off the field and very helping of our bowlers as well. Doesn't give verbal diarrhea statements like some of his teammates and carries himself extremely well in the media.
 
Afridi is loved in India as well especially by the female cricket and non-cricket watching population.
 
LowKiiSavage said:
Afridi is loved in India as well especially by the female cricket and non-cricket watching population.
Click to expand...

Lol. What makes you say that?

I have hardly seen Afridi lovers from India on PP. Indian posters for eg love and respect Misbah much much more.

Same goes for people around me back at home.
 
Maybe, just maybe it could also be because he mostly failed against India in high profile games (WCs).
 
Here's a theory:

Pakistanis love passionate fighters who have the X factor more.

So someone like Kohli resonates with them.

Indians love great performers + classy personas more.

So someone like Wasim resonates with them.

In between lie guys like Dravid and Misbah who are respected for the way they conduct themselves.
 
sensible-indian-fan said:
Here's a theory:

Pakistanis love passionate fighters who have the X factor more.

So someone like Kohli resonates with them.

Indians love great performers + classy personas more.

So someone like Wasim resonates with them.

In between lie guys like Dravid and Misbah who are respected for the way they conduct themselves.
Click to expand...

Pakistanis love Kohli :O: Wake up and smell the coffee.
 
because he associates himself more with Indian team as compared to other Pakistani players.

he got the deal to commentate in Indian matches.

he has associated himself with IPL

he spends more time in India on regular basis

he is not willing to help Pakistan team on long term basis
 
Asim2Good said:
because he associates himself more with Indian team as compared to other Pakistani players.

he got the deal to commentate in Indian matches.

he has associated himself with IPL

he spends more time in India on regular basis

he is not willing to help Pakistan team on long term basis
Click to expand...

Sounds like Rameez Raja.
 
In fact Indians love Akram so much that they even ignore the fact that his image is tarnished due to match fixing charges.
 
Adijazz1706 said:
Pakistanis love Kohli :O: Wake up and smell the coffee.
Click to expand...

Kohli got alot of fans after his 2 knocks in last 2 T20s against Pak
and because of his recent form.
and because of change in attitude (in positive way) as compared to few years back when 2 team met.
 
Statsman said:
Lol. What makes you say that?

I have hardly seen Afridi lovers from India on PP. Indian posters for eg love and respect Misbah much much more.

Same goes for people around me back at home.
Click to expand...
That is what i have gathered from my observation on twitter and indian media.
 
Suleiman said:
Same reason why many Pakistanis admire Kohli these days. They earned the respect. You don't need to be on good terms with each other to earn respect, so doesn't matter if it's Pakistan India or China North Korea. Respect is universal. Once it is earned, it's the same for all.
Click to expand...
Virat Kohli is not that popular.
 
And that tells you how Pakistani and Indians, or desis, in general think.

Any bowler who sucks up to others is respected and any bowler who doesn't go to India and help India is a true Pakistani.

I certainly wouldn't want to play for a country whose fans decides their love and loyalties on the basis of what the cricketer does after he retires.
 
It's not about sucking up. Shoaib Akhtar sucks up to India but they don't respect him so much because he is a clown.

Wasim enjoys a very good professional relationship with India and has done good work in the IPL and with their young bowlers like Shami etc.
 
Statsman said:
In fact Indians love Akram so much that they even ignore the fact that his image is tarnished due to match fixing charges.
Click to expand...

Always funny to watch some Indians indignant about Amir when the real fixing king was Wasim who gets a free pass. :))
 
My Dad said Imran Khan was a very good player but was very caustic during his playing days.

Probably why he never got the love from Indians.

And Pakistanis views about Gavaskar and Sachin were shaped by Imran.
 
sensible-indian-fan said:
My Dad said Imran Khan was a very good player but was very caustic during his playing days.

Probably why he never got the love from Indians.

And Pakistanis views about Gavaskar and Sachin were shaped by Imran.
Click to expand...

Kapil is the most loved Indian especially for old watchers of the game from what i have seen. I personally like Kapil and MSD the most. Both have great personalities.
 
Wasim was loved by Indians well before IPL.

When I was a kid, I didn't know much about Wasim's greatness and used to wonder what was hoopla surrounding him?

He had a huge impact on Indians.
 
sensible-indian-fan said:
My Dad said Imran Khan was a very good player but was very caustic during his playing days.

Probably why he never got the love from Indians.

And Pakistanis views about Gavaskar and Sachin were shaped by Imran.
Click to expand...

Imran's words aren't the gospel. I think he's way off the mark regarding SRT, but that's a discussion for another place. It's a fact that Indians get riled up at anything negative said about SRT and that negativity gets carried over to their views regarding Immy.
 
sensible-indian-fan said:
My Dad said Imran Khan was a very good player but was very caustic during his playing days.

Probably why he never got the love from Indians.

And Pakistanis views about Gavaskar and Sachin were shaped by Imran.
Click to expand...

Interesting choice of word, why would you say he was caustic?
 
Belawal2014 said:
Interesting choice of word, why would you say he was caustic?
Click to expand...

I didn't ask him why.

Maybe I did once but I forgot exactly what he said.

I guess the reason was self explanatory.

Political climate was really bad. India Pak games were seen as mini wars.

We should not lose to India/Pak no matter what...was a motto in those times.
 
Belawal2014 said:
Imran's words aren't the gospel. I think he's way off the mark regarding SRT, but that's a discussion for another place. It's a fact that Indians get riled up at anything negative said about SRT and that negativity gets carried over to their views regarding Immy.
Click to expand...

Imran wasn't India's darling even before Sachin debuted.
 
sensible-indian-fan said:
Imran wasn't India's darling even before Sachin debuted.
Click to expand...

He sure was when it came to the girls on both sides of the border. Ask Bipasha Basu. Also, I wouldn't expect a Pakistani to be India's darling. But you'd be lying to yourself if you don't think Imran's views regarding SRT hasn't shaped the views of some Indians regarding Immy.
 
He's been involved with star sports for so long.. The shaz and was partnership ages ago, then him coming on sportscenter(he was their worst presenter ever).. Then helping out Indian players.. And not to mention he's one of the best bowlers the world has ever seen.. So yea Indians would naturally love him..

Waqar if he starts spending same amount of time in India as Wasim has over the years would feel the same love.. Shoaib is also loved more than Waqar I think..

Miandad married his son to most wanted criminal in India whatever love he had he lost it that day.. News channels had a field day talking about it..

Imran is too old the current and our generation haven't seen him play so he does not have that impact on an average Indian fan.. And the ones who saw him play are like 50-60 year olds so they don't go OTT showing their love..

Zaheer same too old.. Generation gap..

Afridi is loved who says he is not?

Inzi is also loved people love him for his laziness and interviews.. And batting too..

YK it's hard for him because he's not a swashbuckler like Afridi or funny like inzi.. India have produced better batsmen than him so hard for him to break into the love/respect zone of Indians..
 
Belawal2014 said:
He sure was when it came to the girls on both sides of the border. Ask Bipasha Basu. Also, I wouldn't expect a Pakistani to be India's darling. But you'd be lying to yourself if you don't think Imran's views regarding SRT hasn't shaped the views of some Indians regarding Immy.
Click to expand...

Views of girls are irrelevant bro.

Seriously? Girls who would fawn over good looking guys?

Cricket fans' views matter.

But you'd be lying to yourself if you don't think Imran's views regarding SRT hasn't shaped the views of some Indians regarding Immy.
Click to expand...

That happens but it wasn't the cause.

Even before that situation was different.
 
sensible-indian-fan said:
Views of girls are irrelevant bro.

Seriously? Girls who would fawn over good looking guys?

Cricket fans' views matter.



That happens but it wasn't the cause.

Even before that situation was different.
Click to expand...

Sigh... Obviously not only girls.. and tread carefully, else you might upset [MENTION=140316]IslamabadUnited[/MENTION]Fan and the many other passionate cricket fans that are women. To add to that, there are two types of Cricket fans, us the ardent ones who join forums and discuss the great game, and those who casually watch cricket or even only when there is an Ind V Pak match. You can only speak for us ardent ones...
 
Because he was the greatest may be thats why.
And also because he lives and works in India for most of the time and gels very well.
Not only Wasim but Akhtar and Waqar are also held in high regard.

IK left cricket and Miandad's case is well known.
 
Lords said:
Because he was the greatest may be thats why.
And also because he lives and works in India for most of the time and gels very well.
Not only Wasim but Akhtar and Waqar are also held in high regard.

IK left cricket and Miandad's case is well known.
Click to expand...

Disagree.

Hardly anyone "loves" or gives high regard to Waqar here. Akhtar has a hot / cold relationship with Indian fans due to his non sensible comments. I remember people sharing the video in thousands where he was lambasting his team during 2015 WC while abusing him for belittling SRT.

Akhtar might be loved at times due to the entertainment he provides, he doesn't get the respect or high regard from Indian fans.

Wasim on the other hand is the MOST respected Pakistani player here in India. Indians love him like their own and have a soft spot for him.
 
Last edited:
Belawal2014 said:
So you're saying kissing butt has no impact whatsoever?

Also, it might seem that the Indians here on PP don't respect or adore Shoaib much, but the average Indian outside of PP does. It's also why he's also got himself some sort of talk show on Indian television.
Click to expand...

The only reason you find Shoaib on these talk shows is because he is more controversial.

Wasim doesnt suck up like Shoaib, he is mostly very sincere in his comments. Shoaib on the other hand tries too hard to please the Indian audience. And fans are not fools you see, most of us can see what he is trying to do. You see Sehwag taking potshot at Akhtar (being in Indiafor money) but you wont see him take such shots at Wasim.

Also, Shoaib wasnt even half the bowler Wasim was. He played cricket for 20 years and was the highest wicket taker in ODIs. That automatically commands respect from a fan.
 
LastManstanding said:
The only reason you find Shoaib on these talk shows is because he is more controversial.

Wasim doesnt suck up like Shoaib, he is mostly very sincere in his comments. Shoaib on the other hand tries too hard to please the Indian audience. And fans are not fools you see, most of us can see what he is trying to do. You see Sehwag taking potshot at Akhtar (being in Indiafor money) but you wont see him take such shots at Wasim.

Also, Shoaib wasnt even half the bowler Wasim was. He played cricket for 20 years and was the highest wicket taker in ODIs. That automatically commands respect from a fan.
Click to expand...

To be honest Wasim has given some weird comments as well. After Lord's test, he called Ishant a "complete bowler" and said "humaare ladko ne achchi bowling kari" (our boys bowled well). Not even Harsha or Gavaskar use "humaare ladke" (our boys) for Indian players.
 
Belawal2014 said:
Sigh... Obviously not only girls.. and tread carefully, else you might upset [MENTION=140316]IslamabadUnited[/MENTION]Fan and the many other passionate cricket fans that are women. To add to that, there are two types of Cricket fans, us the ardent ones who join forums and discuss the great game, and those who casually watch cricket or even only when there is an Ind V Pak match. You can only speak for us ardent ones...
Click to expand...

I am talking about casual fans only. Not PPers.

I mentioned cricket fans which include boys and girls who have opinions based on the game. :P
 
LastManstanding said:
The only reason you find Shoaib on these talk shows is because he is more controversial.

Wasim doesnt suck up like Shoaib, he is mostly very sincere in his comments. Shoaib on the other hand tries too hard to please the Indian audience. And fans are not fools you see, most of us can see what he is trying to do. You see Sehwag taking potshot at Akhtar (being in Indiafor money) but you wont see him take such shots at Wasim.

Also, Shoaib wasnt even half the bowler Wasim was. He played cricket for 20 years and was the highest wicket taker in ODIs. That automatically commands respect from a fan.
Click to expand...

The argument here is that a player like Immy doesn't command as much respect and love as Wasim, when in fact Immy's had arguably a more illustrious career than Wasim. To that, I think it's because Wasim buddies it up with his counterparts on the other side of the border. Obviously, he's also done a lot more for Indian cricket as well.
 
Belawal2014 said:
And you speak on behalf of all of them :P?
Click to expand...

Yes.

When you live in India and kinda talk to people about cricket, you get an idea what's the view.

Imran was very highly rated for his game (never saw any Indian in real life belittling his game) but the love was not there.
 
Statsman said:
To be honest Wasim has given some weird comments as well. After Lord's test, he called Ishant a "complete bowler" and said "humaare ladko ne achchi bowling kari" (our boys bowled well). Not even Harsha or Gavaskar use "humaare ladke" (our boys) for Indian players.
Click to expand...

That's just one example, there are countless others as well. I think it's a no brainer that much of the love comes from him commitment to the Star Sports commentary team and the KKRs. But some of it also comes from him 'buddying' (to put it more politely) in India.
 
sensible-indian-fan said:
Yes.

When you live in India and kinda talk to people about cricket, you get an idea what's the view.

Imran was very highly rated for his game (never saw any Indian in real life belittling his game) but the love was not there.
Click to expand...

And why do you think the love was not there?
 
Belawal2014 said:
That's just one example, there are countless others as well. I think it's a no brainer that much of the love comes from him commitment to the Star Sports commentary team and the KKRs. But some of it also comes from him 'buddying' (to put it more politely) in India.
Click to expand...

True. Can't imagine an Indian ex-player helping Pakistani players so much forget calling them "humaare bachche".
 
Statsman said:
To be honest Wasim has given some weird comments as well. After Lord's test, he called Ishant a "complete bowler" and said "humaare ladko ne achchi bowling kari" (our boys bowled well). Not even Harsha or Gavaskar use "humaare ladke" (our boys) for Indian players.
Click to expand...

May be he feels emotional connect with these bowlers after spending so many years teaching them.
 
Belawal2014 said:
The argument here is that a player like Immy doesn't command as much respect and love as Wasim, when in fact Immy's had arguably a more illustrious career than Wasim. To that, I think it's because Wasim buddies it up with his counterparts on the other side of the border. Obviously, he's also done a lot more for Indian cricket as well.
Click to expand...

Yes of course, he has done much for Indian bowlers, obviously he will get love from Indian public. As someone above mentioned Imran retired years ago, not many young fans have seen him play. I grew up watching Wasim destroy batsmen, so he will have more respect in my eyes.

Also, Imran is too much revered in Pakistan, most of you havent seen him play but he has kind of cult following in Pakistan, may be because of politics and the fact he won you world cup.

You wont see this kind of fan following among youngsters for Kapil and Gavaskar in India.
 
[MENTION=139682]LastManstanding[/MENTION]
“I grew up hating India because I grew up in Lahore and there were massacres of 1947, so much bloodshed and anger. But as I started touring India, I got such love and friendship there that all this disappeared,” Khan said.
Click to expand...

Those are only the first couple of lines of the article.
 
Belawal2014 said:
Have you actually read the article? Or are you just going off of click bait headlines?
Click to expand...

I did read the article. He says his views changed after he started playing cricket, but these kind of feelings and emotions dont go away completely. You can feel that he has a chip on his shoulder when he talks about Indian cricket.
 
LastManstanding said:
I did read the article. He says his views changed after he started playing cricket, but these kind of feelings and emotions dont go away completely. You can feel that he has a chip on his shoulder when he talks about Indian cricket.
Click to expand...

Yes, but what makes you feel that Wasim doesn't carry those emotions as well?
 
Very sane minded individual unlike other Pakistani players. He's well known even more so than any current Pakistani players, because of his constant involvement with Indian cricket.
 
Wasim was well respected before he sucked up to India as well,I started watching cricket in 90's Wasim,Saqlain were my fav bowlers even then,i tried imitating his action too.

Reason probably is because he did well against our top batsman even in later years for example against Sachin,Dravid,Dada not to forget his WC spell whereas Waqar was thrashed by Ajay,Miandad probably was more respected for his last ball six but then his gimmicks during 1992 WC in a losing cause probably brought down his admiration(still very popular though).

Lala is very famous in India as well but its mostly among a certain community and a region,casual Indian cricket lovers probably liked him before but he doesn't really have much going for him to be admired as a cricketer.

Inzi,Anwar are the other famous Pakistani cricketers in India respected and admired,the TV-Net generation tbh never really got to see Imran playing Live so his fame is usually among the older audience but not that great probably because his usual "talent is more in Pak than India ,Inzi better than Sachin statements", which are probably to mock Indians. His another where he said he doesn't like to wear suits like Indians and stuff.
 
Wasim has that aura .
He is respected all around the world not just India more so than others even during his playing days when he used to openly abuse and sledge the Indian cricketers. I have seen his views mature , certainly wasnt very fond of India during his playing days .
After imran probably the most popular Pakistani cricketer.

Fawad khan will end up as the most popular pakistani in India . The rate at which his popularity is rising is staggering . In a couple of years time if the border situation remains normal the girls will ensure that he surpasses the popularity of every single bollywood actor.
 
Belawal2014 said:
He sure was when it came to the girls on both sides of the border. Ask Bipasha Basu. Also, I wouldn't expect a Pakistani to be India's darling. But you'd be lying to yourself if you don't think Imran's views regarding SRT hasn't shaped the views of some Indians regarding Immy.
Click to expand...

What were his views.. I don't think the Indian fans know about Imran's views except maybe a few diehard cricket fans.

Personally I think Imran isn't as famous in India because of the following reasons:

1. He is of a much older era (main reason).

2. Eventhough he was one of the greatest cricketers to ever play, fans get attracted more towards flair and charisma (that's why Afridi has a mad following). Because of the same reason, I think Javed was more popular especially after the last ball six (Not comparing Javed with Afridi).

Imran would've been greatly popular with the cricket connoisseurs in India but they are far outnumbered by the casual cricket fans.
 
I found Wasim to be more genuine than Akhtar.

Wasim praises the Indian cricketers a lot but also criticises the bowling especially in overseas tours. Like I've seen him get angry at Indian bowling performance a lot.:narine

Also he doesn't overly support India. In the WT20 Ind-Pak match at Kolkata, he was heavily upset at the quality of the pitch and criticising it very much and it got awkward for Harsha Bhogle at one point and changed the topic.

Akhtar on the other hand...
 
street cricketer said:
What were his views.. I don't think the Indian fans know about Imran's views except maybe a few diehard cricket fans.

Personally I think Imran isn't as famous in India because of the following reasons:

1. He is of a much older era (main reason).

2. Eventhough he was one of the greatest cricketers to ever play, fans get attracted more towards flair and charisma (that's why Afridi has a mad following). Because of the same reason, I think Javed was more popular especially after the last ball six (Not comparing Javed with Afridi).

Imran would've been greatly popular with the cricket connoisseurs in India but they are far outnumbered by the casual cricket fans.
Click to expand...

Imran Khan had and has far far greater flair and charisma than Javed Miandad.
 
Statsman said:
Imran Khan had and has far far greater flair and charisma than Javed Miandad.
Click to expand...

Miandad was a fiery personality something similar to Kohli and I don't think Imran was as expressive with his emotions. Batsmen are much more rated and revered in India than bowlers. Both played a role.
 
street cricketer said:
Miandad was a fiery personality something similar to Kohli and I don't think Imran was as expressive with his emotions. Batsmen are much more rated and revered in India than bowlers. Both played a role.
Click to expand...

Pakistani bowlers are rated more than Pakistani batsmen in India. Case in point - check thread title. :)
 
All that with Wasim / Imran love hate with India is fine but Sachin simply has no love hate relationship with Pak. He hardly commented about any of his senior or older Pak player and there is not much of criticism or such wit him related to Pakistan cricket either. So what is with the hate? With players like Sehwag, Akhtar, Afridi's you can think of negative comments by them as reason of disliking but what for Tendulkar?
 
Slog said:
Imran was HUUUGE in India is his playing days. esp among females a lot.
Click to expand...

This is true. He was a rage back in the days. Not anymore though. Can't compare him with the likes of Miandad, who has always been detested by the Indian masses.
 
Statsman said:
Pakistani bowlers are rated more than Pakistani batsmen in India. Case in point - check thread title. :)
Click to expand...

True but I have heard my father and many of the older generation talking more about Miandad especially that famous six off Chetan Sharma a lot. I maybe wrong here though and Imran might have been more popular.
 
Imran Khan isn't hated by Indians, Miandad is worth debatable.
 
If you talk about their playing days no one comes remotely close to Imran 's popularity in India , not even wasim, he was massive . The most popular cricketer in india at the time followed by viv richards who was also very charismatic . At least thats what people like Gavaskar , kapil dev ,Sharmila tagore , Mohinder amarnath , Sanjay manjrekar and Rajdeep sardesai believe.

In pakistan MS dhoni is perhaps the most respected and famous indian cricketer .

Surprisingly Afridi has a bigger fan following in India than sachin has in Pakistan.
 
Due to his good peformances and also how helpful and respectful he has been in the ipl
 
I think the most popular foreign cricketers in India are (as far as I know): in no particular order

1. AB
2. Gilchrist
3. Afridi
4. Wasim
5. Steve Waugh
6. KP
7. Chris Gayle.
 
street cricketer said:
True but I have heard my father and many of the older generation talking more about Miandad especially that famous six off Chetan Sharma a lot. I maybe wrong here though and Imran might have been more popular.
Click to expand...

Imran was very popular in india. Have heard from lot of ex cricketers and actors/actresses even

ask some older folks

he's still invited for many shows in india and would get gigs in a heartbeat if he wanted
 
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