Ahead of Tendulkar's 40th birthday tomorrow, Akram called on Tendulkar to help improve relations between the two countries.
"People in Pakistan see him as an icon, a legend and batting maestro. People respect him as much in Pakistan as they do in India and worldwide. He is a true ambassador," Akram said.
"The way he speaks, he is a quiet man and unlike a superstar, but he is a superstar. He is a true role model and he can be very helpful and useful between these two countries as an ambassador," the former skipper told 'BBC' during a radio special titled 'Sachin at 40'.