‘My Wife Was Unconscious, I Was Crying, We Didn’t Have Indian Visa’: Wasim Akram Recalls Tragic Incident

Legendary Pakistan fast bowler Wasim Akram has discussed controversial topics like match-fixing allegations, ball-tampering and substance abuse in his autobiography Sultan: A Memoir.

Akram participated in a discussion on his autobiography at The Hindu Lit for Life Literature Festival. Speaking at the event, Akram shared a heart-wrenching anecdote about his late wife Huma Akram, who died in 2009 due to heart and kidney complications.

In October 2009, the former Pakistan captain was traveling from Lahore to Singapore in an air ambulance as his wife was about to undergo treatment at Mount Elizabeth Hospital.

Akram revealed that when his flight made a refueling stop at the Chennai airport, he was largely supported by the officials.

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“I was flying to Singapore with my late wife and had stopped in Chennai to refuel. She was unconscious when we landed, I was crying and people at the airport recognized me. We didn’t have Indian visa. We both had Pakistani passports. The people at the Chennai airport, the security forces, and the customs and immigration officials told me not to worry about the visa and to take my wife to the hospital till they arrange the visa. It is something that I will never forget as a cricketer and as a human being.

Wasim Akram has always batted for maximum contact India and Pakistan. The Punjabi Akram from Lahore enjoys tremendous popularity in India and has often called for the resumption of cricketing ties between the two countries.

Hence, it is not surprising to see Akram expressing his gratitude to the Indian officials who helped him through those difficult times.

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At the event, Wasim Akram also recalled Pakistan’s famous Test win in Chennai in 1999. Akram is widely regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers in the history of the game.

He formed a dangerous combination with Waqar Younis in the 1990s. A master of both swing and seam, Akram represented Pakistan in 104 Tests, taking 414 wickets at an average of 23.62.

Chatur Akram also took 502 wickets in 356 ODIs. He is currently the head coach of Pakistan Super League side Karachi Kings.

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