We’ve all had moments of pure disbelief—when something goes so wrong, we’re left standing in stunned silence.
But for Muhammad Sarim Akhtar, one such moment during a 2019 cricket match didn’t just pass quietly—it turned him into an international meme.
A Cricket Fan’s Honest Reaction Goes Viral
Back in 2019, Akhtar was watching a Cricket World Cup match between Pakistan and Australia.
A crucial catch was dropped by Pakistan’s Asif Ali, and like many fans, Akhtar was clearly frustrated.
But instead of yelling or lashing out, he simply stood still, hands on his hips, wearing an expression that perfectly captured every cricket fan’s despair.
That one expression was caught on camera—and just like that, a meme was born.
“That’s Me?!” – The Moment It Hit Him
Akhtar had no idea the internet was already going crazy over his photo until a match presenter approached him after the game.
“It was a really disappointing moment,” he said during a video chat with VICE.
“But I’m not someone who curses or gets aggressive, so my face just naturally showed how I felt.”
Then came the flood. Once his name got out, his phone wouldn’t stop ringing.
Friend requests poured in on Facebook.
His image had officially taken on a life of its own.
Turning Meme Fame into a Platform
Rather than shy away from the unexpected attention, Akhtar leaned into it.
He created social media pages to connect with his growing fanbase, often posting memes in his now-iconic pose.
His Instagram alone has racked up more than 30,000 followers, and he uses it to engage with fans, respond to pop culture, and occasionally poke fun at himself.
Despite becoming an internet sensation, Akhtar hasn’t lost touch with the sport that made him famous.
He’s still a passionate cricket supporter and even attended a T20 match between Middlesex and Glamorgan at Lord’s.
His Meme Went Places He Never Imagined
The reach of his meme surprised even him. It wasn’t just limited to cricket circles.
People used his expression to represent everything from protest frustrations in Italy to the chaos of flood disasters in Pakistan.
The viral moment was so widespread that even Coca-Cola took notice.
They brought him on for a promotional campaign where he had the chance to meet his childhood hero—Pakistani cricket legend Wasim Akram.
Fame Comes with a Price
But not everything about viral fame has been fun and games.
Akhtar admits that in public, especially in Pakistani and Indian communities, he often gets recognized instantly.
“Sometimes I wear a cap to hide my bald head—it’s the easiest way to avoid being spotted,” he laughed.
His wife, however, sees the fame a bit differently.
For her, it’s more of a disruption.
Strangers reaching out, constant attention—it’s made family life more complicated.
Even his kids, aged nine and thirteen, have felt the ripple effects.
They’ve voiced their own frustrations when other parents constantly recognize their dad at school drop-offs.
What’s Next for the Meme Man?
While Akhtar is grateful for the unique path his viral fame has taken him on, he’s also trying to strike a balance between public persona and private life.
Whether he’ll fade quietly back into cricket fandom or continue riding the wave of meme culture is still uncertain.
One thing’s for sure—he turned a moment of disappointment into a surprising, global connection.