Cricketers don’t have much of a personal life. Everything that they do is in the public domain and the fans love to keep talking about it. Anything and everything these days is covered by main-stream media and what is left, is showcased on Social Media as it is. This makes the life of a cricketer really complicated at times and choosing a life-partner that important.
That is why some of these big stars have gone the unconventional way. They have done something that would be least expected and it is sometimes just worked out well for them. Marrying a cousin could be common in some cases, while in others things are a bit rather different.
Here are five well-known cricketers who married/will marry their cousin-
5. Mustafizur Rahman – Samia Parvin
Bangladesh has been performing really well in white-ball cricket in recent times. Mustafizur Rahman has been an integral part of the team and deserves credit as well. The pacer has outfoxed world-class batsmen and has completely changed the face of fast-bowling in the country. However, he could not escape marriage after the 2019 World Cup.
After Rahman and the Bangla Tigers narrowly escaped the Christchurch bombings, the young fast bowler decided to tie the knot. The Fizz married his maternal cousin, Samia Parvin who is a psychology student at the Dhaka University. The family said that the occasion helped the Rajasthan Royals star overcome depression caused by the near-death incident.
4. Saeed Anwar – Lubna
The former Pakistani opener, Saeed Anwar loved scoring runs against arch-rivals, India. Nobody can forget his 194-run classic innings in Chennai. Off the pitch, Anwar liked to stay away from the limelight. Even his marriage, which would be considered a huge milestone, was a rather muted event.
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In 1996, Anwar married his cousin, Lubna. The latter was a doctor by profession. It was also the year when he flourished in the Test arena, with an average of 63. All good perfect for Anwar and his family until 2001, when his daughter passed away. Eventually, this top batsman retired after the 2003 World Cup.
3. Virender Sehwag – Aarti Ahlawat
The Nawab of Najafgarh is a thorough entertainer, whether it is on the pitch during his playing days or whether it is from the commentators’ box or as a Pundit now. A legend of the Indian game, Sehwag tied the knot with his childhood friend, Aarti Ahlawat in a dream wedding. The wedding was hosted by none other than former finance minister, Arun Jaitley.
Their story began when the Indian opener was just seven years old. Though the process was a long one, the couple convinced their families eventually, as they were distinct cousins. They have been together for 15 years now. What a great player, what a great couple!!
2. Shahid Afridi – Nadia Afridi
The love and hate that Shahid Afridi got from the fans over the years is unbeatable. The ex Pakistani skipper is world-famous for his humility and power-hitting. He was a genuine match-winner, though towards the end of his career he got converted into a bowler who could bat a bit.
Afridi was an asset to any team that he played for. Boom Boom had a lot of female fans but he tied the knot at the tender age of 20. Afridi married his maternal cousin, Nadia Afridi. They have been together for almost 19 years. He never accompanied her husband for any of his games due to her reserved nature. They have four daughters named Aqsa, Ansha, Ajwa and Asmara.
1. Babar Azam- Cousin (name unknown)
One of the best batsmen and cricketers in the world and currently leading the captain of the Pakistani team, Babar Azam is set to marry his cousin too. The story broke out via the Pakistani media quite recently. This came as a shock to his female fans who were not happy that the 26-year-old star decided to tie the knot.
He is leading the charts with regards to the world’s best batsman in T20 and ODI cricket. The cricketer displaced Virat Kohli quite recently in these rankings. The comparisons will surely continue to happen. However, for now, it is time for Babar Azam to get married, like some of the other cricketers on this list.
