Several Pakistani cricketers have crossed cultural and national boundaries through marriage, forming relationships with people from other countries. These unions often gained significant media attention and highlighted the personal lives of these cricketers in interesting ways. Here are a few notable examples:
1. Shoaib Malik and Sania Mirza
Perhaps one of the most famous cross-border marriages, Shoaib Malik, a former Pakistan cricket captain, married Indian tennis star Sania Mirza in 2010. Their union attracted significant attention due to the rivalry between their home countries, Pakistan and India. Together, they have a son, Izhaan Mirza Malik.
2. Zaheer Abbas and Rita Luthra
Known as the “Asian Bradman,” Zaheer Abbas married Rita Luthra, an English woman who converted to Islam and took the name Samina Abbas. Their marriage reflected Zaheer’s international appeal and popularity during his playing days.
3. Wasim Akram and Shaniera Thompson
Pakistan’s legendary fast bowler Wasim Akram married Australian social worker Shaniera Thompson in 2013. They met in Australia, and Shaniera embraced Pakistani culture, moving to Pakistan and becoming involved in social initiatives there. They have a daughter together, adding to Wasim’s family, which includes two sons from his previous marriage.
4. Imran Khan and Jemima Goldsmith
Former cricketer and later Prime Minister Imran Khan married British socialite Jemima Goldsmith in 1995. They had two sons and lived between Pakistan and the UK. Though they divorced in 2004, Jemima retained a strong connection with Pakistan.
5. Mohsin Khan and Reena Roy
Mohsin Khan, a former Pakistani batsman, married Indian Bollywood actress Reena Roy in the 1980s. This marriage, however, was short-lived, and the couple eventually divorced, but it remains one of the early cross-border marriages that brought together cricket and cinema.
6. Haris Sohail
Haris Sohail, a talented Pakistani middle-order batsman and occasional left-arm spinner, made headlines with his marriage to an Australian woman. Their relationship began during one of his cricket tours, where they met and eventually decided to build a life together. Known for being private about his personal life, Haris does not share much about his family on social media or in interviews, choosing to keep his marriage and family life away from the public eye.
