New Delhi: The sports world was shocked by the news of the divorce of Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza and Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik, who were once considered as the ‘power couple’ of India and Pakistan. The news was confirmed by Sania’s family on Sunday, a day after Shoaib announced his second marriage to Pakistani actress Sana Javed on social media.
In a statement issued by Sania’s family, they said that Sania and Shoaib had parted ways a few months ago, but kept their personal life private. They said that Sania wished Shoaib all the best for his new journey and requested the fans and well-wishers to respect their privacy and refrain from any speculation.
Shoaib, 41, posted a picture of his wedding with Sana, 29, on social media on Saturday, with a caption that read, ‘We have made you in pairs.’ Sana is a popular actress in Pakistan, who has starred in several TV shows and films. The wedding was reportedly a low-key affair, attended by close family and friends.
Sania, 37, and Shoaib, 41, got married in Hyderabad in April 2010, amid much media frenzy and controversy. The marriage was seen as a symbol of peace and harmony between the two rival nations, as both Sania and Shoaib were celebrated sports stars in their respective countries. They lived in Dubai and had a son, Izhaan, who was born in 2018.
However, their marriage was not without its challenges, as they faced constant scrutiny and pressure from the public and the media. There were also rumors of a rift in their relationship since 2022, as they were rarely seen together in public events or social media. Shoaib had even unfollowed Sania on Instagram, which raised many eyebrows. Sania’s recent posts on Instagram also hinted at her stress and unhappiness, as she wrote, ‘When something disturbs your peace, let it go.’
The divorce of Sania and Shoaib has saddened many of their fans and admirers, who had hoped that they would overcome their differences and stay together. The news has also sparked a lot of reactions and debates on social media, as some people expressed their support and sympathy for Sania, while others criticized and trolled Shoaib for his second marriage.
