Cricket is the most popular sports in our country and perhaps the most discussed topic these days is the performance of our cricket team. While the on the field news are not much favorable, lets remember few light off the fields stories of sports persons.
Sports and showbiz are two separate fields. Though sports is not directly linked to showbiz, still from time to time many sports personalities are linked to showbiz personalities. Such sports persons are the subject of this article. There are many such instances though not all were true, and here only those instances are mentioned which have some basis. Few of such associations resulted in the permanent association means marriage.
Since the private and personal life of any person must be respected, so all such instances mentioned here are indeed a personal matter of relative sports persons/ showbiz persons and should not be meant to infer anything towards their personality. Being a human nobody is perfect, and all persons mentioned here are human too.
Though sports is our country is not limited to cricket, but mostly it was the cricketers who were noticed with showbiz personalities and that too mostly with showbiz names of our neighbouring country India.
Nazar Muhammad
Nazar Muhammad was the first Pakistani cricketer to face a ball in Test cricket when he opened the first ever test match of Pakistan in 1951-52 versus India. He is also the first Pakistani to carry the bat in a test match during the same series against India in 1951-52. Pakistan’s cricket team’s first cricket tour was against India in India in 1952, the series comprises of five test matches. Nazar Muhammad participated in all five matches, and in the second match in Lucknow he carried the bat , Pakistan also won that match thus recording its first victory in test cricket in only its second test match. Pakistan lost the series 2-1 against India, and the same series also proved the first and last test series of Nazar Muhammad. Soon after the series a domestic accident damaged his arm and thus ended his career.
Nazar Muhammad was also a relative of musician Feroze Nizami. Though then local film industry was in infancy, still Feroze Nizami was a big name in film music of 1950’s as he composed the ever green music of super hit Urdu and Punjabi films like Chann Vey(1951) and later Dupatta (1953). Both films featured legendary artist Madam Noor Jehan in lead roles and Dupatta was also a hit in neighboring India. Through Feroze Nizami, Nazar Muhammad also get acquainted with Madam Noor Jehan which led to some steamy rumors in the press which they neither confirmed nor denied. Then Madam Noor Jehan was married to film producer/director Syed Shaukat Hussain Rizvi, but by mid 1950’s their marriage ended in divorce.Decades later in late 1970’s Mr. Syed Shaukat Hussain Rizvi in his one book wrote about Nazar Muhammad and Madam Noor Jehan.
None of these is now alive, but it was first such instance in our county where a showbiz and sports personality were in the news.
Waqqar Hassan
Waqqar Hassan is a famous cricketer of 1950’s. He played 21 tests from 1952 – 1953, his brother Parvez Sajjad was also a cricketer. Waqqar Hassan married Jameela Razzaq who was a famous name of films in 1950’s and 1960’s. After marriage, Jameela took retirement from films. Both live happily in Karachi with their children and grand children. Jameela Razzaq worked in few famous films like Ishq Per Zaur Nahin in 1960’s. Jameela is the daughter of Nawabzadi Sultana, who was the princess of Soorat (now in Gujarat, India).
Imran Khan
Imran Khan is perhaps the most sought after cricketer in the history of Pakistan. Since his debut in 1971 against England, Imran Khan was quite popular and earned the reputation of a ‘lady killer’. In 1970’s and 1980’s Pakistani and foreign (mostly British) press frequently reported various off the fields incidents of Imran Khan, which he never bothered to reply. The most famous of such incidents was in 1979 when Pakistani cricket team under the captaincy of Asif Iqbal toured India after a gap of more than 10 years.
Pakistan and neighbouring India fought two back to back wars in 1965 and 1971 which resulted in bitter relations and thus halted all the cricket activities. In 1977, military dictator General Ziaul Haq imposed martial law and later declared himself the president of Pakistan. Under Zia regime, Pakistan enjoyed all time favourable relations with India. Under Zia’s presidency bilateral ties returned to normal and thus Pakistan and India cricket teams regularly toured the other country from 1978 – 1989. General Ziaul Haq passed away in a plane crash in 1988. In 1989 Indian cricket team toured Pakistan which proved the last tour for more than a decade until Pakistani team visited India in 1999.
Coming back to 1979, during the tour, Indian press reported about Imran Khan and than famous Indian film artist Zeenat Amaan. The tour of 1979 resulted in a defeat for Pakistan by a margin of 2-0, but the tour is still remembered for this off the field rumor.
Tasleem Aarif
Tasleem Aarif is a cricketer, wicket keeper/batsman from Karachi. In 1980’s he played six tests and two one day internationals for Pakistan. His score of 210 for Pakistan against Australia stood for more than 20 years as the highest score made by a wicket-keeper in Test cricket. Aarif died in Karachi from a lung infection in 2008.
Tasleem Aarif married television artist Rubina. Their son Ainan Abbassi is also an artist and is also married to famous television artist Anoushay Abbassi.
Sarfraz Nawaz
Sarfraz Nawaz is a famous cricketer known for introducing the art of reverse swing in 1970’s. Sarfraz Nawaz has close friendship with Imran Khan though later he became a strong critic of Imran Khan. Sarfraz Nawaz is also famous for many off the field incidents, however he surprised many by marrying filmstar Raani in 1980’s. Raani is considered one of the most polished artist of Pakistani film history. In 1970’s when dancing skill was not considered a must for Urdu film heroines, Raani mesmerized the audience with her strong dance and acting performances in films like Anjuman, Umrao Jaan Adda, Surraya Bhopali.
It was the third marriage of both Raani and Sarfraz Nawaz after two failed marriages. The marriage got much publicity in press, however it lasted only for few years (6-7 years). Both Sarfraz and Raani met in London, where Raani was under treatment for cancer diagnosed earlier and later got married. Raani passed away due to cancer in early 1990’s before which both were already separated.
Sarfaraz Nawaz
Mohsin Khan
Mohsin Khan is a famous crickter of 1980’s known as ‘Lord of Lords’ when he scored a double century on the historical ground of Lord’s in 1980’s. Apart from splendid batting performance, Mohsin was also known for his charming personality. During a tour of India in mid 1980’s Mohsin surprised many by marrying Indian film star Reena Roy. After the marriage Mohsin settled in Bombay (now Mumbai) and retired from the cricket. In India, he started his bollywood career too. The couple had a daughter, but ultimately the marriage was not successful and ended in early 1990’s. Mohsin came back to Pakistan with his daughter Jannat and married a Pakistani lady.
In early 1990’s Mohsin started his filmi career in Pakistan and starred in few successful films (opposite Reema) like Haathi Meray Saathi, Beta. In late 1990’s Mohsin returned to cricket and opted to coach Pakistani Under 19. He also served as a coach for national cricket team few years ago.
Waseem Akram
Waseem Akram perhaps the best left arm bowler the game has seen started his career in 1987 from the tour of New Zealand. Waseem Akram married Huma Mufti in 1994 and the couple had two sons Taimur and Akbar. Huma Mufti passed away in 2005 due to some fatal ailment.
Though Waseem Akram is accused many times for match fixing in his career, seldom he is named with a showbiz personality. In mid 2000’s Waseem Akram accepted the offer to judge a television dance reality show in India together with former Miss Universe and Indian artist Sushmita Sen. There were rumors for their marriage which both denied and clarified that they are only friends. Few years ago Waseem Akram was also in the news which claimed he is marrying Humaima Malick. Again both Waseem and Humaima denied such claim, but admitted they are only good friends.
Shahid Afridi
Shahid Afridi known as Boom Boom is indeed a star performer of our cricketing history. As a cricketer Shahid Afridi enjoyed overwhelming stardom and popularity similar to or perhaps even more than what Imran Khan experienced in the past. Like Imran Khan, Shahid Afridi also featured in various off the field incidents. Like any regular Pakistani, Shahid Afridi also religiously follows Bollywood films and artists which eventually led to his name associated with a Bollywood star.
In 1999, Pakistani team toured India which was the first bilateral series after a gap of ten years. Waseem Akram captained Pakistan cricket team while Javed Miandad was the coach. Pakistani players were clearly instructed to stay away from Indian media and bookies. However a cup of tea involving Shahid Afridi became a breaking news in press. The cup of tea also resulted in a fine for Shahid Afridi. As per press reports Shahid Afridi, being fan of an Indian artist Sonali Bandre invited her for a cup of tea in the hotel lobby. There is always a zaalim samaj which intervenes on such occasions. The team management (including coach Javed Miandad) played the role of zaalim samaaj and spotted the “tea party”. Whatever happened next resulted in a fine of few hundred dollars on Shahid Afridi. Such an expensive cup of tea it was.
Shoaib Malik
Shoaib Malik, started his cricketing career in late 1990’s and is known for his all round abilities with both bat and ball. Shoaib was named many times with Indian ladies from various fields. Shoaib’s first marriage was with Ayesha Siddiqi from Hyderabad India. Shoaib himself told Pakistani media about his Nikah with Aayesha Siddiqi, but later he himself that refused any such Nikah ever happened. However before his second marriage with Indian Tennis player Saania Mirza (also from Hyderabad, India), he divorced Ayesha Siddiqi after repeatedly denying that he was ever married to Ayesha Siddiqi.
Both his wives are Indian and not from showbiz, then why his name is included here?? Well in between his first and second marriage, Indian press widely reported about Shoaib Malik and an Indian artist Sayali Bhagat. Both worked together in a film, which was based on cricket and featured Shoaib Malik in few scenes along with other Pakistani cricketers. It was during the shooting of this film, that Indian media reported that Sayali is dating Shoaib Malik, which she strongly denied.
Shoaib Akhtar
The fastest bowler in the world known as Rawalpindi Express. Shoaib, started his career in mid 1990’s and was repeatedly reported for on and off the field controversies mostly related to breaching the team discipline. Shoaib Akhtar took retirement form all forms of cricket during the 2011 world cup. Shoaib Akhtar visited India many times during his career where he also appeared in few television reality shows as guest. In one such show he danced with Indian artist Dia Mirza, which led to widespread rumours that both are getting married. Both denied this and currently both are happily married and settled with their better half.
Muhammad Aasif
Muhammad Aasif known for his swing bowling starting his career in early 2000. Muhammad Aasif was banned to participate in any from of cricket due to his involvement in spot fixing in 2010. Beyond spot fixing he was also in the news due to his association with artist Veena Malik. Initially both Veena and Aasif denied any such association but later admitted they are close friends and are planning to be married. However the friendship ended in bitterness and both Veena and Aasif accused each other on various accounts. Both Aasif and Veena are now happily married and settled in their lives.
Abdul Razzaq
Abdul Razzaq started his career in late 1990’s and is a gifted all rounder. Abudl Razzaq is happily married to his cousin and the couple is blessed with kids. However he was named in press for being involved with artist Deedaar. Abdul Razzaq has always admitted that they are good friends where Deedaar is now also married now to a Pakistani living in Germany. But the tale not ends here, last year Abdul Razzaq was seen in a ceremony in Dubai with Indian artist Tammanna Bhatiya which led to speculations in media. Both denied any association.
Asad Rauf
Asad Rauf is a first class cricketer turned umpire. Asad participated in Indian Premiere League as an umpire. He was in the news when an Indian model Leena Kapoor accused him of deceiving her after promises of marriage.Initially Asad denied these reports, but later he settled the issues with Leena Kapoor. Asad Rauf eventually retired from umpiring in the same year.
Marrium Raheem
Well among all male cricketers there is also one female tennis player who married an actor. Marrium Raheem is a tennis player who also participated in international events for Pakistan. Marrium’s sister Maira Raheem is a also a tennis player. As tennis is not much popular, so its associated players seldom makes headlines in our country. Marrium is happily married to Adil Murad who is the son of famous film artist Waheed Murad. Adil Murad has acted in few dramas and films. Marrium’s sister Maira Raheem is married to cricketer Salman Butt.
So it completes my compilation of sports person associated with showbiz persons. There could be few other possible names which are not included due to unconfirmed news about their association.
Do share your feedback.
Thanks for your time.
Rashid Nazir Ali