On 12 June 2019, Australian cricket team faced Pakistan in the world cup match at the County Ground in Taunton.
During this particular match a player of the Pakistan team Asif Ali dropped David Warner’s catch.
The camera pulled away from Pakistani player and focused on a fan in the stands watching with his hands on his hips and frown on his face.
Sarim Akhtar’s reaction went viral on social media as cricket lovers across the globe felt this aptly represented their frustration.
Akhtar, who is an auditor from Karachi in Pakistan was working in London’s PricewaterhouseCoopers office, told VICE:
“It was a pretty disappointing moment, but it’s not in my nature to shout abusive words or use expletives, so instead I made this expression.”
Akhtar’s image became so viral that in 2021 Somerset cricket called it “one of the greatest internet memes of all time.”
Akhtar added that his meme became relatable:
“It went way beyond the cricket space, especially in countries like Uganda, Botswana, Malaysia, and Indonesia. It’s relatable because it fits into any situation that involves an unpopular decision.”
Pakistan lost the World Cup 2019 clash to Australia, losing by 41 runs and Warner went on to score 107 runs in the match. However, Akhtar won many fans worldwide. He soon received friend requests on his personal Facebook profile and decided to start public Instagram and Twitter for other disappointed cricket fans to connect.
Akhta’s meme is part of the Museum of Memes which was opened by online platform 9GAG.
He has also decided to cash his fame in the digital realms by introducing a new non-fungible token (NFT) project called DFans, or Disappointed Fans.
WATCH VIDEO: How I Became the Disappointed Cricket Fan | Meet the Meme
