Shaniera Akram

Shaniera Akram (''née'' Thompson; born 20 March 1982) is an Australian social worker based in Pakistan. She is the wife of former cricketer Wasim Akram.

Early and personal life

Shaniera was born on 20 March 1982. Hailing from the Melbourne suburb of Brighton, she describes herself as a "typical Australian girl" who lived a normal life, and worked as a public relations consultant. She received her early education from a private girls' school. She was raised with three sisters, in a well-connected household which counted Sam Newman and Shane Warne as family friends.

Shaniera met Wasim in 2011 at a dinner with mutual friends whilst he was visiting Melbourne for cricket commentating duties, but did not know who he was back then or admittedly have much interest in cricket; Wasim explained: "I did tell her – "I’m kind of a big deal back home" – but that card didn't work. I had to charm her. We exchanged numbers, texted and emailed, and whenever I was back here we would get together." Shaniera says although the relationship was not romantic at first, and despite being from different countries and generations, the two enjoyed each other's company and were able to click. According to Wasim, she showed him her city and introduced him to Australian culture, which he found very family-oriented, sports-based, and having an affinity for outdoor living – similar to his life in Pakistan. He proposed marriage to Shaniera on a bended knee at her home.

At the time, Wasim was coping with the passing away of his childhood love and first wife Huma (who died from multiple organ failure in 2009), and was struggling in life – especially in raising his two children. Talking about Huma, Shaniera mentions they've kept her memory alive through photos, planting a tree, observing her birthday and death anniversary, and through her children. Shaniera married Wasim at a simple '' nikah'' ceremony in the summer of 2013 at his hometown Lahore, on 12 August. They moved to Karachi thereafter, where they live near the beachfront area of Clifton. The couple had their first daughter, Aiyla, on 27 December 2014. As a mother, she picks up and drops off her daughter to school, and takes her to dance and judo classes. She is also a step-mother to Wasim's two sons, Tahmoor (b. 1996) and Akbar (b. 2001), from his earlier marriage. She acknowledges them as an important part of her life, and has become a source of support and advice for both.

Shaniera mentions that transitioning to her new life in Pakistan and adapting to the culture was challenging initially, but she found the local people warm and hospitable. She had adopted Islam prior to her marriage, learned to become accustomed to the various customs and traditions, and also improved her Urdu