From metaphor to reality
‘Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I can assure you, it’s much more important than that.’ Bill Shankly said these words. He was a charismatic man and Liverpool Football Club’s most successful manager. The quote was classic Shankly: witty, passionate, and showing his intimacy with soccer’s spiritual side – his bond with fans for whom the game was more than a game.
But then, on April 15, 1989, at Hillsborough Stadium, the words came back to haunt those who had taken his statement without irony. Prior to the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, too many Liverpool fans were packed into a particular stand. There was overcrowding, and many were crushed. In all, 96 Liverpool fans lost their lives.
It is odd to write about death when writing about sport. Sport is ultimately always life-affirming: even in despair and defeat, it makes us feel more alive. The language we use for our games – ‘we murdered them,’ ‘bowling at the death,’ ‘he choked’ – is often morbid, but only in the safe waters of metaphor. We can take sport dead seriously only because we know, ultimately, that it’s only a bit of splashing around in the shallow end.
But then, occasionally, real life emerges, and sport is compelled to take on the deeper, darker, murkier aspects of existence. Someone gets hurt, someone dies.
Huma Akram was not a sportsperson, but by all accounts she was an invaluably positive presence in the career of Wasim Akram, one of the four or five greatest sportsmen in Pakistan’s history, and probably the best left-arm fast bowler ever. Since Sunday, her story has appeared on the front page, but also on the back pages – in the domain of sport, where it belongs, for it is for her sporting connection that she is known to you and me. She is connected to sport. She is part of the family of sport. Therefore, the world of sport mourns.
Our best wishes go to Wasim and his two young sons. It is little compensation, but the left-armed magician should know that all of us who follow cricket were stunned into a bone-deep sadness when the news broke, and that sadness will linger for some time to come.
It is an occasion to take a step back, contemplate the vagaries of fate, put sport into its proper perspective, and hope that Huma Akram rests in peace, while her family finds the strength to go on.
Imran Yusuf lives in Karachi. He compulsively follows Pakistan cricket, which drives him mad. He also writes about Pakistan cricket, which keeps him sane.
The views expressed by this blogger and in the following reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.
68 Comments »
RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URL
Leave a comment
November 5th, 2009 at 9:33
May Almighty Allah rest her soul in peace and give courage to Wasim Akram and his family to bear this irreprable loss. Ameen
November 2nd, 2009 at 22:26
really what can one say…..on this sad news a woman with an incredible presence…a lady who played a motivating role as a mother a wife a doctor..she stood for everything nice..how could this have happened…why did it happen is all i keep thinking…we pray for ur soul u were beautiful inside out…miss u.bless u
October 28th, 2009 at 22:03
Why is there a connection between people, even though they have never met? Maybe they embody something so pure and so true that it pulls everyone towards them.
I had never met either of them, but when I read the news of Huma’s illness, I just offered a quiet prayer for her and her family. I followed the story daily. But when the news of her death broke, there was a sudden sense of loss that engulfed me. A loss of a mother, a loss of a wife, a loss of a daughter, a loss of a sister and a loss of a friend. For she was all of that to her family and friends. But also that she was a young person who went ahead of her time.
There is no prosthetic for a young death and that too of someone so full of life. Whose ambitions in life were to help her children grow up to be good people. Who wanted to help people in need as well. Who had been a pillar of support for her husband in his rough times. That death is indeed very very painful.
Dear Wasim,
I know these words will not mean much in your greif, except an addition to all the prayers for you and your kids. May Allah SWT bless her and grant her the best Paradise and give you and your sons Sabr. Indeed we belong to Allah and indeed unto HIM we shall return. May Allah give you and your family the strength to get through this loss and may you always be there for your kids.
God bless.
October 28th, 2009 at 13:32
My heart goes out to the family, specially you children who have lost their mother. May God give all strength to Wasim to bear this irreparable loss. Heartfelt condolences to the entire family.
October 28th, 2009 at 13:11
Imran Yusuf summed up the feelings of almost all Pakistanis. The news numbed us. My wife and I have never played cricket or been to an event but Wasim and other Pakistani cricketers represented our “Pakistaniant” although we have lived overseas for over 40 years.
Inna lil lahe wa inna ilaehay rajayoon. We will pray from Huma and Wasim and his young family.
It is a great loss indeed!
Anwer & Naz
October 28th, 2009 at 12:15
A very sad end of an affair… May Allah SWT grant us patience and courage to deal with life in this world. Ameen
October 28th, 2009 at 11:46
Its encouraging to see ppl from all sects and religions coming together to share the grief of one of our True Legends. In moments like these we realize however much one forgets the true essence of human bonding and equality, and on a higher level – the reality of our short-spanned life in this world, the bonds we have are there to live.
I hope and wish Allah gives Huma the best of places and grants her eternal peace, and grants courage to all in sorrow, esp. Waseem and his sons.
October 28th, 2009 at 10:32
We all pray for Wasim Akram’s family. May Almighty Allah rest them in peace; Also this is really sad news for all Pakistani Nation, Wonderful Women and Wonderful Wife had gone ! Inna Lillah e Wa Inna Elihe Rajioon ! Allah Darjaat buland kare aur Jannat Main ala Maqam Ata farmaye. Ameen !
October 28th, 2009 at 10:27
Wasim bhai,
I hv no idea how to express my feelings to my HERO my Legend on this loss.
She was ur fallback in every moment since she came into ur life. She herself was a great personality, as an individual and as a family oriented person as well. She, as a Psychiatrist, had session with the Pakistan team when they were moraly down after the worldcup loss. Huma served the nation by supporting complimenting a Lengend.
May AlLAH rest her soul in peace n give you n your sons the patience n stregnth to bear this.
We all are with you WASIM BHAI.
October 28th, 2009 at 9:39
Very sad news for cricket lovers.I recently saw her interview with Atiqa odho on a TV channel. May allah rest her soul in peace and give courage to family to bear this Loss.
October 28th, 2009 at 9:37
May Allah shower His blessings on her. And give courage to the family to bear this great loss.
October 28th, 2009 at 8:51
Accomplished counselor, loving wife and Mother, friend, above all, a good person. May her short and inspiring life also inspire her family to cope with the grief of her sudden departure, and to meet the challenges they must face without her.
October 28th, 2009 at 8:50
Huma was a wonderful, warm and generous person. She herself was an athlete in school and was very popular among her classmates. I remember watching her play netball and throwball, and was always impressed by her grace and sportsmanship. This shocking news is very painful, and I hope Mr. Akram and his family find solace at this difficult time. My sincere condolences to her family, and regret at the loss of a good friend.
October 28th, 2009 at 8:43
May Allah rest her soul in peace. May Allah give them courage to bear teh situation.
October 28th, 2009 at 6:41
May Allah keep the departed soul in peace and give sabr to Wasim Akram and his family sabr for this loss, Ameen.
October 28th, 2009 at 6:31
May condolences for the Akram family. May god give strength to Wasim Akram to over come this huge loss in his life and raise his young sons.
October 28th, 2009 at 5:27
May Allah give her a place in jannah, and may Allah protect Waseem and his lovely children from harm.Amen!
Tariq
USA
October 28th, 2009 at 3:57
Dear brother Wasim,I am extremely sorry to hear the sad demise of your wife Huma,May Allah put her in Jannah(Amin) and give u Sabr.Everybody has to go back to Allah,this is our eman.Now u have to be mom and dad for your kid.If you pray,Allah will give u sakoon.Your muslim sister.Khalida Hanif-USA
October 28th, 2009 at 3:35
My heart goes to Huma’s family. I cannot begin to imagine what those little kids are going through. As a husband, it must be devastating for Wasim Akram to lose his life partner. May God rest her soul in peace! Ameen
October 28th, 2009 at 3:34
May Allah subhana tala bless her soul in peace and give courage to wasim & family to bear this great loss of their love one. aameen.
October 28th, 2009 at 3:30
My family and I were shocked to hear the news of passing away of Huma Akram. Huma was a wonderful lady who loved her husband, her family and cricket so much. We share the grief of Wasim, the two boys and all the relatives. May Allah give Huma a high place in Heaven. May Allah give strength to Wasim and family to bear the grief.
October 28th, 2009 at 3:12
My condolences to Wasim Akram and his family. It was indeed shocking but death is reality we can not run away from. To Allaah we all belong and to Him we all shall return.
Thank you Mr. Yusuf for this wonderful essay.
October 28th, 2009 at 3:09
May her soul rest in peace, ameen.
October 28th, 2009 at 1:16
Very sad news, indeed. May Allah rest her soul in peace and give strength to her loved ones to bear this irreversible loss.
P.S Imran Yusuf, its a very well written piece.
October 28th, 2009 at 1:12
DEAR WASIM BHAI<
CONDOLES YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AND ALL FRIENDS ANS FANS ON SUDDEN SHOCKING DEMISE OF THE YOUR BELOVED WIFE HUMA WASIM.IT WAS REALLY VERY SAD DAY TO ALL OF YOUR FANS AND WE PRAY TO GOD FOR HER SOUL TO KEEP IN CALM AND REST AND ALSO MAY GOD BLESS YOU A PATIENCE TO BEAR AN IRREPARABLE LOSS.LOVES TO WASIM BHAI AND HIS FAMILY
October 28th, 2009 at 0:45
may her soul rest in peace. i can imagine her patience when Wasim would be out there playing for his nation, where she waits his return and cares for the kids amidst his absence. a wife really is an indispensable component of anyones life. its a loss . a deep loss.
condolences to her family and to our legendary left arm fast bowler.
October 28th, 2009 at 0:12
Everything in this world is finite. Each and every one of us will meet death one day. It is a matter of time and destiny, someone leaves early others little later.
Let us all pray for the departed soul. May Allah give her Maghfirah, forgive all her sins and bless her with his rehmat and grant her the best place in Jannah and give the family the will and courage to bear with the colossal loss.
October 28th, 2009 at 0:12
May Allah bless Huma Akram and give her place in heaven and give patient to Wasim Akram and family.
wasi siddiqui
October 27th, 2009 at 23:59
May Allah grant her jennathul firdous forgiving her sins, and help Wasim and kids through this trying time. Allah knows what is best for all of us. but it is sad.
October 27th, 2009 at 23:57
A very sad loss for Akram and his family.
October 27th, 2009 at 23:20
May no one suffer the loss of a soul mate or the love of a mother. Our deepest condolences to Waseem, on the tragic demise of Hina. May he find patience and peace. But it is inevitable, we all have to part with this world some time. Lets us all pray that we are ready and pure when the time comes. Ameen
October 27th, 2009 at 23:05
We were very sad to hear the sudden death of Mrs.Akram.. My wife was one of her class mates in collage St.Joseph (khi)…She still cant believe this has happened. My she rest in peace and my Allah grant her a place in Heaven …AMIN… And my Allah give you and your children courage to face this trauma.
October 27th, 2009 at 22:06
RIP …
October 27th, 2009 at 21:49
Knowing that Wasim and Huma were on the way to Singapore for emergency treamtment, and having met this lovely family here in Singapore on couple of occassion, we all hoped and prayed for their arrival and her recovery. But truly nobody knows when and where its his/her time to go, as in this extremely sad news that she left her loved ones right in the middle of the journey.
Considering the tender age of their children, this is a hearbreaking news. Our deepest condolence to Wasim, may Allah give the family courage to bear this profound/irreparable loss, and may shower her soul with His blessings.
Inna Lillah Wa-inna ileh Rajaoon.
October 27th, 2009 at 21:38
Mother Father and the Wife, when they abandon you in any manner it is greatest of all the agonies.
We understand its a great loss. Waseem would be knowing exactly, we can share and only imagine.
Allah may rest her soul in eternal, peace amen.
October 27th, 2009 at 21:22
No words to describe Huma’s loss, May Allah
bless her and provide comfort to Wasim and his sons.
October 27th, 2009 at 21:12
My deepest condolences to Wasim Akram and Family on this great loss to him. May Allah give Wasim and his family Sabar.
October 27th, 2009 at 21:08
Inna Lillahe Waa Inna Ilaihe Rajeoon.
May Allah give peace to departed soul of Mrs Huma Akram n place her in Jannatul Ferdadous. Ameen
May Allah give courage n patience to Mr Wasim Akram n to the lovely children to bear the irreparable loss. Ameen
Quamrul/Dhaka/Bangladesh
October 27th, 2009 at 20:26
Wasim, May Allah give you Patients and Courage to raise your two lovely sons in a right path and now they need you more than ever and your warmth to show your love and caress. i dont have words to give you condolence for the irrepairable loss, but you have to live for your sons, not only as a father, but as a mother too, they are your asset now. My duas and prayers will always be with you and your family and May Allah forgive all your wife’s sins and mistakes which she did intentionally or unintentionally, Ameen.
October 27th, 2009 at 20:10
Humma Wasim’s death news is very heartrending and dejecting for every cricket lover who loves Wasim Akram as a great sportsman. This is haunting me the day when I attended the wedding ceremony of Wasim Akram. It was a splendid ceremony. All the contemporary cricket players were present there. Most important couple was very happy for getting engaged into nuptial agreement. Now her death news gives me immense pain. I pray that May Allah give courage to Wasim, her sons and all family to bear this irreparable loss with courage and fortitude. (Ameen)
October 27th, 2009 at 20:08
My deepest condolences to Waseem and his sons. I pray to Allah to give them strength and courage to bear this great loss.
May Allah reset her soul in peace – amen.
October 27th, 2009 at 20:04
May Allah bless Huma Akram’s soul and see the Akrams through this difficult time.
October 27th, 2009 at 19:44
‘Grief is the Price we Pay for Love’ – a solemn truth for everything held passionate.
Sabuhi
October 27th, 2009 at 19:40
Dear Wasim Bhai.
May Allh gives you strength & ray of hope to bring up yur children in the best possible way .Yo take care of your health & be brave .There are certain things in life we have no control over what so ever .It is great loss which only you can feel it .May Allah be with you all the time .We all love you .Ameen!!!!!!!!!
October 27th, 2009 at 18:54
Wasim Bhai Allah apko sabar-e-jameel Day our Ap ki wife ko Janat may Jaga day .AMeen
October 27th, 2009 at 18:09
May Allah (SWT) shower his blessings on the departed soul and give courage to her entire family to bear this loss. (Ameen)
October 27th, 2009 at 17:44
As a pakistani and loer of great game of cri9cket it is very sad news, Allah Mighty rest her sole inhaven, and heartfelt condolences to Wasim great family.specially thetwo young sons who were she take care as a mother and as a gurdian, as wasim most of the time out of country for his duties.
October 27th, 2009 at 17:44
WASIM ALLAH GIVE YOU SABR
PRAY FOR HER PEACE AND TAKE CARE OF YOUR
LOVELY CHILDREN
ALWAYS PRAY 5-TIMES IN MOSQUE YOU WILL FEEL
SAKOON shakil from saudi arabia
October 27th, 2009 at 17:21
Hi,
May her soul rest in peace.My commiserations to Wasim and his family.
October 27th, 2009 at 17:16
shocked to learn about the sad demise of Huma Waseem Akram. May God rest her soul in eternal peace- Aamin? May Allah Almighty give the bereaved family courage and patience to bear this irrecoverable and irreparable loss? I am conveying my heart-felt condolence to Waseem & his kids. I share and stand by you in this time of pain and anguish.
October 27th, 2009 at 16:29
Our condolences for the grived family and Wasim Akram.
October 27th, 2009 at 16:19
Your article precisely captured our emotion on Huma Akram’s demise!
Inna Lilla he Wa Inna Ilaihay Rajeoon
October 27th, 2009 at 16:07
My heartfelt condolence to Wasim Akram and his sons,May Allah Almight bless Huma…Amin
and give courage to the family members to bear this loss.
October 27th, 2009 at 15:58
Hi,
Its was painful news,when I heard about Huma Akram .Really not possible to expres d grief in word.
Regards,
Vikram
October 27th, 2009 at 15:47
Yes, She will live forever in the form of Wasim Kids.We are millions and millions of Wasim Bhai fans from India and pray for the almighty to give them courage in this difficult time.We wonder our estranged Brother country has lost so many beautiful soul in the fom of Nassia Hassan, Ustad Fatah Ali Khan and now Mrs Akram. I think She was a Beautiful soul, who had a genuine love for everything and everbody.RIP Madam Huma Wasim Akram
October 27th, 2009 at 15:41
Death of Wasim s’ wife Huma Akram is really irreparable loss specially for waseem family and his sons, in fact man is helpless before the will of almighty ALLAH , life period of every human being has been fixed by almighty ALLAH and every human being have to go one day.
We do nothing, except for patience, Almighty ALLAH give courage them to bear this loss and May ALLAH bestow the departed soul with all his kindness and high place in Jannat –ul- firdous .Aameen
October 27th, 2009 at 15:31
My deep and heartfelt condolences to Wasim Akram and his two sons. May Allah grant her paradise and give the family the strength to bear this great loss
October 27th, 2009 at 15:25
I don’t usually get sad or upset when i hear someone is expired. … call me a person with no heart or you may call me a mature man with strong heart…… but for some reason (not sure myself) i was extremely sad and upset after hearing the news of Huma Akram
October 27th, 2009 at 15:20
Inna Lilla he Wa Inna Ilaihay Rajeoon.
My heart goes to Waseem and all his family members. May the Almighty bless Her and give Waseem and his family the strength and courage to bear this immense loss.
October 27th, 2009 at 15:16
In Wasim Akram’s time of stress it was Huma who gave him solace. Now he is mourning her.
His loss is immense.
May Allah give him ,his sons and the rest of the family the strength to bear this loss.
October 27th, 2009 at 15:10
My deepest condolences to Wasim Akram and Family on this great loss to him. Like Imran says ’she was part of the sporting family’ and all fans morn his loss.
October 27th, 2009 at 15:08
“Behind evry successfull man there is a women”. This saying definatly holds true in the case of legendary Pakistani fast bowler Waseem Akram.
May Allah give him the fortitude to bear his immense loss and the courage and compation to look after his two sons that Huma left him.
October 27th, 2009 at 15:02
It was an extremely shocking news for myself as she was a great young lady, who was the wife of a greatest sports man. Young death always gives a great shock which is difficult to handle. May Allah Almighty bless her soul in peace and grant her family great patience to handle this great loss. Aameen !!
October 27th, 2009 at 15:02
Wasim Akram is a legend who has a huge fan base in India and his wife was very much a popular figure every time she came to India with Wasim. They made a lovely couple made for each other. Wasim’s phenomenal success in the later part of his career must be attributed to Huma’s positive influence.
In this sad moment, i extend my sincere condolences to Wasim, his two lovely kids and the whole Akram family.
October 27th, 2009 at 14:53
my condolences to Wasim and His family. No doubt it is irreparable loss to his family. ALLAH Maghfirat karay..Ameen
October 27th, 2009 at 14:47
it was heartrending… n the grievous loss will linger in our hearts foreva…May she rest in peace
October 27th, 2009 at 14:38
my condolences for the grived family
may Allah give strength to wasim akram to bear this great loss
October 27th, 2009 at 14:27
this is an ideal obituary for the woman behind Wasim Akram’s success. Our heart goes out to the family, specially the young sons, who are in their critically nurturing age
Heartfelt condolences to the family,may Allah,Almighty grant them courage to bear this irrepairable loss