My Passion for Pakistan
I am Fahad Malik, more widely recognised as the 'Pakistani Hulk.' In 2012, I made Australia my new home, and Melbourne has been my cherished city of residence ever since. My professional background lies in engineering, and I currently serve as a project management professional in the Australian construction sector.
Why Hulk ? Since I was a little kid, I've always been really fascinated by the Incredible Hulk. He's a character I find super cool and inspiring. He's known for being incredibly strong and having a good heart, and he's had a big impact on my life. When I was young, I used to read Hulk comics, and I even dreamed about turning into the Hulk and using his power to help people.
I turned my strong interest in the Hulk character into something amazing by combining it with my love for cricket. I spent a lot of time finding the perfect Hulk costume and made it special to show my support for Pakistan's cricket team. My first time dressing up as the 'Pakistani Hulk' was during the 2015 ODI World Cup. I went on an exciting trip to Australia and New Zealand to cheer for Team Pakistan. I got to see a really intense match between Wahab Riaz and Shane Watson in Adelaide. I'll never forget when Pakistan defended a small score of 231 runs in 47 overs at the small Eden Park Stadium in Auckland against South Africa. It was a special journey for me.
My Journey
My journey into the world of cricket began as a child, growing up in the bustling streets of Karachi, Pakistan. It was here that I first held a cricket bat and experienced the thrill of hitting a ball. We used to play in dusty streets and make our own cricket fields. It was like our special place for quick, unplanned matches with other local kids. This is where my love for cricket began. Playing with my friends, we not only enjoyed the game but also built a strong sense of togetherness that cricket brings.
When I was young, I really looked up to cricket legends like Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, and Javed Miandad. Seeing them play for Pakistan in their green jerseys was like watching magic. They were more than just cricket players; they were like heroes, people to look up to, and they inspired me. Their love and hard work for the game showed me that you can achieve amazing things with dedication and never giving up.
I have a special memory from cricket, and it's when Wasim Akram played an amazing game in the 1992 World Cup Final against England. He scored 33 runs and took three wickets, helping Pakistan win. It was a great moment when Imran Khan, our captain, lifted the World Cup trophy. His leadership and charisma inspired a lot of young cricketers in Pakistan. This moment is still famous in cricket history.
Starting in 2015, I've been a huge fan of the Pakistan Cricket Team. I made sure to go to almost every game they played in Australia when they toured. My commitment to supporting them continued in the recent T20 World Cup in 2022. I attended all of Pakistan's matches and paid for my own travel to every city where the matches were held, just to show how much I support Team Pakistan. Because of my dedication, I got a lot of attention from both Pakistani and international media with 'Pakistani Hulk' becoming a prominent figure in headlines throughout the duration of the 2022 T20 World Cup.
My love for cricket extends beyond my personal interest; I took it a step further by establishing a local cricket club in Melbourne, Australia. For more than seven years, our cricket club has been thriving, achieving success with multiple local championship victories. In addition to our competitive accomplishments, we have actively contributed to the community by promoting and participating in wholesome sporting activities."
To conclude, I can confidently say that “I wear one of the most difficult costumes in the world to support Pakistan Cricket Team. It is very hot & humid inside the mask, gloves, and costume, but my love and passion for cricket is much bigger than my comfort”.
Pakistan Zindabad !!! Always bleed green