Wasim Akram in Talks for TV Drama Debut With Mahnoor Baloch

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram may soon be seen in a television drama for the first time. According to media reports this week, the fast bowling great is in talks to appear in a new drama serial directed by Fahim Burney, with senior actress Mahnoor Baloch being considered for the female lead. The project is still at an early stage, and no final cast has been announced.

Burney has reportedly shared some details about the drama on Instagram. However, neither Wasim Akram nor Mahnoor Baloch has officially confirmed that they are part of it. Until the makers or the actors make a formal announcement, this remains a report and not a final decision.

What We Know About the Project So Far

The drama is in pre-production, which means the makers are still talking to actors before signing them. Reports say discussions with the possible cast are going on. The name of the drama, its story, the TV channel and the release date have not been shared yet.

There are also reports that actress Mahira Khan may be approached for a special appearance. This is uncertain too, and Mahira Khan has not said anything about it in public. She is one of the best known faces of Pakistani television, famous for dramas like Humsafar.

Fahim Burney and Mahnoor Baloch have worked together before. Burney directed her in the Hum TV serial Noor Bano in 2010, where she starred opposite Imran Abbas. Two years later, he directed her again in Mehar Bano aur Shah Bano, which aired on Hum TV in 2012. His other well known serials include Adhi Gawahi in 2017 and Iqtidar, which started on Green Entertainment in September 2024.

Mixed Reactions on Social Media

The news has started a lively debate online. Actress Javeria Abbasi welcomed the idea and was happy about the unusual pairing. Many cricket fans also said they would enjoy seeing the former captain on screen.

Not everyone was pleased. According to the entertainment website Reviewit, TV critic Dr Ejaz Waris showed his disappointment with a sarcastic comment that TV actors should now sit at home while cricketers do the acting. Some other users said they already see Wasim Akram in many advertisements and did not want to see him in dramas as well.

A TV serial is also a bigger task than a film role or an advert. Burney's earlier serials have run for anywhere between 17 and 40 episodes, so a main role would mean many weeks of shooting and a lot of screen time.

From the Cricket Ground to the Camera

Wasim Akram is one of the greatest fast bowlers Pakistan has ever produced. He played 104 Tests and 356 One Day Internationals, taking 414 Test wickets and 502 ODI wickets, which makes 916 international wickets in total. He was also a key member of the Pakistan team that won the 1992 World Cup under Imran Khan.

After retiring from international cricket in 2003, he stayed close to the game as a commentator and analyst. He has also worked as a bowling coach for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, held senior roles with Karachi Kings in the PSL, and appeared in many TV commercials.

His first proper acting role came in Money Back Guarantee, a comedy film directed by Faisal Qureshi and released in April 2023, with Fawad Khan in the lead. Wasim played the president of a bank in the film, and his wife Shaniera Akram also appeared in it. Before that film, he had turned down many acting offers after retirement, saying in an interview with Khaleej Times that he saw acting as serious professional work. A separate film about his own life, titled Akram: An Era, was also announced at a PSL opening ceremony in Karachi a few years ago.

What Happens Next

For now, fans will have to wait for an official announcement from Fahim Burney or from Wasim Akram himself. Details such as the channel, the full cast and the shooting schedule should become clear once the casting is final.

If the deal goes ahead, it will be the first time Wasim Akram plays a role in a Pakistani TV drama. It would also be a rare case of a cricket legend moving from the commentary box to television drama, and viewers will be the final judges of how it turns out.