Wasim Akram responds to viral AI-generated videos claiming his death
Pakistani cricket legend Wasim Akram has responded after AI-generated videos falsely claiming his death spread across social media.
Wasim reassured fans that he is alive and urged people to verify information before believing it.
In a video message shared on his Instagram, Wasim greeted his followers and addressed the rumours that had circulated over the past few days.
The former cricketer said if people in today's world still struggle to tell the difference between real and fake news, a "60-year-old baba" like him has little chance.
He also responded to the countless messages asking whether he was alive.
"No, my friend, I am making this video after dying," he remarked sarcastically.
Wasim thanked fans for their concern while making it clear that he was perfectly fine.
Wasim went on to say that AI-generated videos are often easy to identify within seconds and expressed surprise that so many people had fallen for the clips.
He revealed that the fake videos even used AI-generated versions of the voices of former Pakistan cricketers Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Akhtar to make the false claims appear more convincing.
While acknowledging the effort behind creating such content, Wasim said the same talent could be put to better use.
"If they used their minds for positive work, they would achieve a lot in life," he said.
The cricket icon also quoted a popular Punjabi proverb that explains simply "loading books onto a donkey does not make it a scholar, adding that "even copying requires intelligence."
He concluded the video by thanking everyone who had reached out to check on him and reassured fans in English that he is safe and in good health.
Wasim is widely regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers in cricket history.
Nicknamed the "Sultan of Swing," he played a pivotal role in Pakistan's 1992 Cricket World Cup triumph and became the first bowler to claim 500 wickets in One Day Internationals.
Fans showered love in the comments section after seeing Wasim's response.
Also Read:Mahnoor Baloch reunites with longtime friend Fahim Burney