5 sportsmen who transformed into style icons

KARACHI: While David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo and Maria Sharapova top the list of international athletes-turned-fashion icons with their stunning appearances on red carpets, ramps and extra ordinary attire while stepping out of the courts, Pakistan has its own versions of sportsmen turned fashion icons.

With a growing entertainment industry, our athletes have not held themselves back from stepping into the fashion fraternity every now and then. Some walk the ramp while others have launched their own apparel brands.

Given the paucity of sportswomen, we may not have a local version of Maria Sharapova just yet, but our male athletes definitely seem to be giving some of the top male models a run for their money. Here’s the list of Pakistan’s 5 most fashionable sports icons:

5.      Wasim Akram



Former skipper and currently ESPN’s official commentator, Wasim Akram has garnered fans not just for his cricket skills but for his impeccable attire. The bowling legend has even graced the ramp quite a few times. Very recently Wasim Akram walked the ramp at Telenor Fashion Pakistan Week in Karachi for Fnk Asia. The legendary cricketer turned fashion icon has also walked the ramp at 2013’s Bridal Couture Week and launched his line of men’s kurtas in 2013.

4.      Aisam-ul-Haq



Pakistan’s only tennis icon who won international recognition with his wins against tennis players in ATPs and grand slam semifinals, Aisam-ul-Haq is no less of a fashion icon. With an impeccable sense of style and a charismatic persona, Aisam could well be a model if he had not turned to tennis. In 2013, Aisam gave us a taste of his modelling skills when he walked the ramp at APTMA fashion event. He has also appeared on several magazine covers and graced red carpets last year with his former wife Faha Akmal.

3.      Shahid Afridi



Shahid Afridi is known for creating ripples everywhere he goes, and it is no surprise that he too makes his mark in the fashion world. Afridi was voted Number 5 on the Wonderlust list of 10 most stylish athletes in the world, alongside Roger Federer, Tiger Woods and David Beckham. He is also the brand ambassador for international watch brand Rado. Afridi also has two apparel brands to his name, a gents' brand bearing his own name, and a ladies' Eastern clothing by the name of Widyaan.

2.      Shoaib Akhtar



King of controversies in the sports scenario, Shoaib Akhtar has all that it takes to be the frontrunner of fashion industry. With his dope scandals and behavioral issues combined with a perfectly maintained physique, Akhtar has all the makings of a fashion icon. He has modeled at the Mumbai Fashion Week and has made an appearance in numerous fashion magazines.

1.      Imran Khan



Who would miss out on Kaptaan Khan when it comes to the list of sportsmen turned fashion icons? The pioneer of Pakistani sportsmen turned fashion icon, Imran Khan would set women's hearts aflutter with his muscular physique on the field and leave them more than impressed with his immaculate sense of style off the field. Known for appearing on several magazine covers, dating Bollywood celebrities and carrying a fashionably noticeable persona back in the day, Imran Khan still continues to defy his age with his toned physique, white starched kurtas and accented English.