Asif Muhammad, the well-known Pakistani Mr. Bean, has spoken out about the hilarity of his appearance at an event in Harare created after Zimbabwe defeated Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2022 match. Asif Muhammad first gained national attention on social media following the match.
Long before the cricket match, Asif was confused for the actual Mr. Bean, English actor Rowan Atkinson, during an agricultural event in Harare.
A textile businessman turned property dealer, Asif’s comical life began when he was approached by a Pakistani television channel for a show on doppelgangers of famous actors. He was then invited to Zimbabwe by two Indian businessmen in 2016. While some fans in Harare believed he was the real Mr. Bean, the reality left many hearts broken.
Asif said in a media interview: “I am a duplicate, but if the leaders of Zimbabwe and Pakistan can joke about me to each other after Zimbabwe’s victory, my goal of making the world laugh has been accomplished. After Pakistan was defeated, there was some mocking because of me. What more do I need?”
Added Asif, “I was delighted when businessmen Muhammad Arif and Muhammad Anees brought up the idea of using me as a brand ambassador at the Harare show. The most profit I made from that trip came from visiting children in Harare’s markets and streets and having them think I was the actual Mr. Bean.”
“A lot of Indians would also come to meet me at the residence of Anees and would ask me for autographs and selfies. The hospitality was ten times more than I get in Pakistan,” Asif concluded.
For the uninformed, Asif was brought into the Pakistan vs. Zimbabwe game after Zimbabwean citizen Ngugi Chasura tweeted in response to images of the Pakistan squad training: “We Zimbabweans will not forgive you. Instead of Mr. Bean Rowan, you previously handed us that con artist Pak Bean. The situation will be solved tomorrow. Simply hope that the rain will save you “.
Chasura tweeted a pic of the Pakistani look-alike at an event. “This is Pak Bean who imitates Mr. Bean stealing people’s money”.
Zimbabwe managed to make 130/8 in 20 overs. However, the Zimbabwean bowlers restricted Pakistan to 129/8 for a memorable win in the Super 12 match in Perth, Australia.
