Cricket has always brought people together, crossing borders and cultures. While the sporting rivalry between India and Pakistan is intense, there have also been several instances of Pakistani cricketers and Indian women falling in love and marrying. Here’s a look at five such couples where the groom belonged to the Pakistani cricket team and the bride came from India.
1: Shoaib Malik and Sania Mirza
The pairing of Shoaib Malik and Sania Mirza was one of the most famous cross-border relationships in South Asian sport. Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik and Indian tennis star Sania Mirza met in 2004 at a charity function in Hyderabad, India, and became friends before marrying in 2010. Their Mehndi ceremony was held in Hyderabad, India, while the Nikah took place in Lahore, Pakistan, attended by prominent figures from various fields.
The couple’s son, Izhaan Mirza Malik, was born in 2018. In early 2024, the couple’s divorce was confirmed publicly by Mirza’s family after a period of speculation, and Shoaib Malik married Pakistani actress Sana Javed later that same month. Sania Mirza has continued raising their son, largely keeping her personal life private since.
2: Zaheer Abbas and Ritu
Zaheer Abbas is a Pakistani cricketer, while Ritu was an Indian social worker. The two met at a private party in Mumbai, and their relationship turned into marriage in 1988. Zaheer’s family reportedly did not fully embrace having a daughter-in-law from India, and the marriage ended in the early 1990s. Zaheer Abbas went on to focus on his cricket career, while Ritu returned to work in the Indian film industry.
3: Mohsin Khan and Reena Roy
Mohsin Khan is a former Pakistani cricketer and actor, while Reena Roy was one of the most prominent actresses in the Indian film industry at the time. The two met during a cricket match in Mumbai, and Reena Roy married Mohsin Khan in 1983 after stepping back from the Indian film industry. Their marriage ended in divorce around 1990. Mohsin Khan went on to work as a cricket coach and commentator, while Reena Roy continued her acting career.
4: Wasim Akram and Huma Mufti
Pakistani cricket legend Wasim Akram’s first marriage was to Huma Mufti, whom he met at a party in Lahore. The couple married on July 28, 1995, in Lahore, in a ceremony attended by many prominent figures. Huma passed away in October 2009 due to complications related to a long-term illness. Wasim Akram remarried in 2013, and continues to work as a respected cricket commentator and analyst.
5: Hassan Ali and Samiya Arzoo
Hassan Ali is a fast bowler for the Pakistani cricket team, while Samiya Arzoo was an Indian flight engineer. The two met at a charity function in Dubai through a mutual friend, and their relationship developed into marriage. The couple married on August 20, 2019, in Dubai, in a private ceremony attended by close relatives and friends.
