Wasim Akram reveals Shaniera used to think people were calling her 'Barbie' instead of 'bhabi'

Cricketer Wasim Akram and one of Pakistan's favourite bhabhis [sister-in-laws], activist Shaniera Akram, made an appearance on Time Out With Ahsan Khan and shared some really fun facts about their marriage and life together. We've learnt that Shaniera loves Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, has a whole pantry filled with masalas and used to think people were referring to her as "Barbie" instead of "bhabhi" when she first arrived in Pakistan.

In a long interview, the couple spoke about their life and relationship and played fun games to test how well they know each other.

Commenting on the differences in their geographical origins and their cultures, Shaniera said, "You don't marry someone from overseas, from a different culture really, from a different background and generation unless it's something magnificent, right?"

The activist admitted she didn't know much about Pakistan when they met. Wasim added that when she came to Pakistan and saw a camel on the beach for the first time, she exclaimed, "WHAT THE HELL, a camel?!" Shaniera added that snake charmers are so "stereotyped" but when she came to Pakistan, she saw they were real.

"Pakistan for me is the centre of the world now, I've grown as a person here, as a woman, as a mother here, as a wife and the most important years of my life have been here. I recently went to Australia and I didn't know who I was there. It was really weird."

When asked if she ever imagined marrying someone so different, she revealed, "Actually I must say I found this diary of mine from when I was a little girl and I wrote 'Please God send me a prince from a faraway land' and can you imagine I basically did marry a prince of swing from a faraway land and I get to dress like a princess every day." Gesturing at her shalwar kameez she said, "beautiful clothes."

Wasim said he didn't have to particularly adjust to Shaniera's culture, it was all natural except for one thing. "Sometimes I'd get tired of translating though, from our staff to Shaniera, from Shaniera to our staff, now she's fine," he said, adding that her Urdu has improved quite a lot. He also revealed that Shaniera has a real love for Rahat Fateh Ali Khan's music.

The activist said she absolutely loves Pakistani food and even has a pantry full of masalas. "And little containers full of masalas that make the masalas like haldi [turmeric], cumin, etc."

When asked how she responds when the cricketer gets angry, Wasim said, "She told me three days ago if you get angry, to calm you down I'll use one word; Belsnickel." Shaniera explained that it's kind of an inside joke. "It's like a bad man on this show with a stick and he whacks people so I'm just gonna call him Belsnickel whenever he does something silly," she said.

"Most of the time people mispronounce her name — Shanira, Shanoora, Shaniqua. It's not that hard — Shaniera like Sakeena," complained Wasim. Shaniera added, "Honestly I think that's why everyone calls me bhabhi [sister-in-law] because they probably don't remember my name." Wasim then revealed that Shaniera didn't always know she was being called bhabi. "When you first arrived, people used to call you bhabhi and she'd say 'oh, so cute Barbie!' I said bhabhi, not Barbie."

The couple met in 2011 and tied the knot in 2013. They have a daughter together along with two sons from Wasim's first marriage.