Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik, embroiled in controversy after three no-balls in a single over, has decided to withdraw from the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) season. This comes shortly after Malik’s third marriage to Pakistani actor Sana Javed, following a ‘unilateral’ divorce from former Indian tennis star Sania Mirza. The abrupt departure was confirmed by Fortune Barishal, Malik’s franchise, citing personal reasons for his absence from the remaining BPL matches.
Shoaib Malik’s Bittersweet Journey: Milestone and No-Ball Drama
Despite featuring in all matches in Barishal’s initial Dhaka phase with a subpar performance, Malik achieved a monumental milestone last week. He became the first Asian and second overall player to score 13,000 runs in T20 cricket, accomplishing this feat during a BPL match against Rangpur Riders, joining the likes of Chris Gayle on an elite list.
However, the veteran cricketer attracted attention for the wrong reasons during a game against Khulna Tigers, where he bowled three no-balls in a single over.
In a surprising turn of events, Malik’s personal life took center stage with his third marriage announcement to Sana Javed in Karachi. The cricketer shared a wedding photograph on social media with the caption “And we created you in pairs,” putting an end to speculation surrounding his separation from Sania Mirza.
Rumors of discord between the 41-year-old Malik and Sania have circulated since 2022, with the couple rarely seen together in recent years. Malik’s decision to unfollow Sania on Instagram added fuel to the speculation. The couple’s five-year-old son, Izaan, resides with Sania.
A family source revealed to PTI that Sania initiated the divorce proceedings, describing it as a ‘khula,’ referring to a Muslim woman’s right to unilaterally divorce her husband. Shoaib and Sania tied the knot in April 2010 in Hyderabad, India, and used to live in Dubai. Sania’s recent social media posts, at the age of 37 suggested signs of stress.
