Ajman Titans’ left-arm pacer Wasim Akram, yes, the bowler who shares his name with Pakistani fast bowling legend Wasim Akram, delivered a standout performance in the Abu Dhabi T10 on Sunday, grabbing 2/7 in a fiery two-over spell to set up a comfortable seven-wicket win over Royal Champs at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium.
For the 30-year-old, living with the name “Wasim Akram” is both a blessing and a burden.
“My father is a huge fan of the legend, so he named me after him,” he said.
“It is pressure. It’s such a big name. Even if I fail, it feels like I’m letting the name down. I try to take care of it.”
Turns out, he’s doing more than that.
Akram shared that he has actually met the original Sultan of Swing and even picked up bowling tips from him. “I still watch his videos and study his bowling,” he added, smiling.
Titans find their groove
The Titans didn’t have the smoothest start to the tournament, losing their first two games. But back-to-back wins have lifted spirits, and Akram believes it all comes down to getting the right combination on the field.
“I think we found our combination after the first few games,” he said. “The results show it. If we keep going like this, we can win more matches.”
Bowling hard lengths in a batter’s game
Bowling in T10 is often described as a nightmare, but Akram shrugged off the idea.
“If your variation is good and you can execute it, there’s no problem—T10 or any format,” he said. “I just stick to my hard length, always.”
He also praised the learning culture within the Titans camp. “All of us bowlers try to learn from one another. Zaman Khan’s slower ball is brilliant, so I try to pick that up from him as much as I can.”
Dreaming of the UAE cap
And there’s a bigger goal on the horizon—one he’s inching closer to.
“Yes, I hope to play for the UAE,” he said. “I still have around three to four months left before I’m eligible, but that’s the dream.”
With performances like this, the dream feels very much within reach.
