Muhammad Sarim Akhtar rose to unexpected fame during the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup when a video capturing his visibly disappointed reaction after Asif Ali dropped a catch went viral. This moment birthed the widely recognized ‘disappointed fan’ meme, which quickly spread across various social media platforms, embedding itself into internet culture.

Recently, Akhtar expressed his excitement and pride at being featured in the Hong Kong Museum of Memes. He took to Twitter t

This acknowledgment underscores the profound impact and reach of internet memes in contemporary popular culture, highlighting how individuals can achieve global recognition through viral moments on the internet.

In a recent interview, Akhtar shared his experience of becoming an internet meme sensation. He revealed that while his disappointed reaction was genuine, he only became aware of his viral fame after the match when approached by an interviewer.

Akhtar remarked, “After my name got out, I received thousands of friend requests on Facebook, and my phone kept ringing all night long.” 

He added, “The meme became popular not just in cricketing nations but also in countries like Uganda, Botswana, Malaysia, and Indonesia. It resonates with people because it can be applied to any situation involving an unpopular decision.”

On the second anniversary of the meme going viral, cricket fans and official cricket accounts joined forces to celebrate Akhtar’s iconic expression. The International Cricket Council and Somerset County also acknowledged the viral meme by sharing it on their Twitter accounts.