Watch: Wasim Akram delivers iconic bowling action during Hajj Rami

Even though he was wearing a plain white Ihram, Wasim Akram was instantly recognisable, especially with his bowling action. A viral video doing the rounds on X showed the Pakistan fast-bowling great during the holy pilgrimage in Mecca where he was seen performing the Rami al-Jamarat ritual, a symbolic act of stoning the devil.

However, what caught everyone’s attention was something very familiar to cricket fans. As Akram prepared to bowl, his movements naturally mirrored his iconic bowling action that once plagued batsmen the world over.

The short approach, raised non-bowling arm and signature wrist all looked remarkably similar to the action that made him one of cricket’s greatest fast bowlers. Once Akram was able to throw the stone correctly, he also sparked his trademark celebration.

The moment drew laughter from those around him, with one of his friends jokingly pointing out that Akram seemed to be still bowling even during the pilgrimage. The light-hearted exchange added a warm and human touch to an otherwise deeply spiritual environment.

Some fans joked online that Akram was showing off his bowling skills to Saitan and got him yorked. Akram was next to Misbah-ul-Haq and Fakhr-e-Alam. Akram also met his former teammate Saeed Anwar in Mecca.

The clip quickly became more than just a viral moment for cricket fans. For fans around the world, it was a moment of nostalgia in a bowling action that defined an era of fast bowling and helped Akram collect 916 international wickets while mastering the reverse swing like few others. This earned him the nickname Sultan of Swing as he and Waqar Younis formed one of the deadliest bowling pairs in the history of cricket.

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Published on:

27 May 2026 19:29 IST