10 Cricketers Who Married Their Cousins
Marriages between people who were born into the same family, usually within a few generations, are referred to as cousin marriages. The most typical type is when first cousins who have the same grandparents get married. Although cousin marriages are not uncommon and are widely accepted in many areas, legal systems, and faiths, they have not always been performed throughout human history.
Here is a list of cricketers who have been reported to have married their cousins:
1. Mushtaq Mohammad (Pakistan)
One of the five well-known Muhammad brothers who made a substantial impact on Pakistani cricket, Mushtaq was renowned for his adaptable all-around abilities. In the 1960s and 1970s, he played Test matches as well as One-Day Internationals for Pakistan, enjoying a prosperous international career. Mushtaq, one of the well-known Pakistani Muhammad brothers, wed his cousin.
2. Zaheer Abbas (Pakistan)
Known as the “Asian Bradman,” Zaheer Abbas is among the most graceful and effective batsman in cricket history. He was born in Sialkot, Pakistan, on July 24, 1947, and was well-known for his elegant batting and remarkable lengthy innings. He achieved legendary status as the first and only cricket player from Pakistan to score more than 100 centuries in the first class. Zaheer Abbas wed Rita Luthra, an Indian woman who subsequently became a Muslim and changed her name to Samina Abbas. Since she was Zaheer’s cousin, their union is an example of a cousin marriage, which is a widespread custom in South Asia.
3. Saeed Anwar (Pakistan)
One of Pakistan’s best opening batsmen, Saeed Anwar is renowned for his fluid stroke play and dependability at the top of the order. Born in Karachi, Pakistan on September 6, 1968, he was a mainstay of Pakistan’s batting lineup in the 1990s and the first part of the 2000s. Saeed Anwar represented Pakistan in 55 Test matches, amassing 4,052 runs at an average of 45.52, with 25 half-centuries and 11 centuries. One of his best innings under duress came when he hit 188 not out against India in Kolkata in 1999, which was his highest Test score. After a great career, he announced his retirement from international cricket in 2003. Saeed Anwar wed Lubna Anwar, his cousin and a physician by trade. After a catastrophe in their family, their marriage received media attention. Bismah, Saeed Anwar’s little daughter, died of illness in 2001.
4. Majid Khan (Pakistan)
Former Pakistani cricket player Majid Khan is renowned for both his noteworthy contributions to Pakistani cricket and his graceful batting style. He was born in Peshawar, Pakistan, on March 22, 1946. He is a member of the famous Khan cricket family, which also includes a number of other well-known cricket players. He got hitched to his cousin. In the 1960s and 1970s, he gained notoriety for his grace on the field. He hit an incredible 159 during one of his most remarkable innings, which occurred in a 1976 Test match against New Zealand. His performance against strong bowling assaults and on difficult deliveries was evident in this inning.
5. Shahid Afridi (Pakistan)
Former Pakistani cricket player Shahid Afridi is well-known for his dynamic attitude, brilliant batting, and all-around skills. He was born in Khyber Agency, Pakistan, on March 1, 1980, and rose to prominence as one of the most well-liked and entertaining players in international cricket. In 2000, Shahid Afridi, a well-liked all-around player and former captain for Pakistan, wed Nadia Afridi, his maternal cousin who gave birth to four girls.
6. Mohammad Amir (Pakistan)
Pakistani cricket player Mohammad Amir is renowned for his outstanding bowling abilities, especially in his fast bowling style. Amir, who was born in Gujjar Khan, Punjab, Pakistan, on April 13, 1992, rose to prominence internationally at an early age and has had a career filled with both noteworthy triumphs and contentious incidents. In 2016, the gifted Pakistani fast bowler tied the knot with his cousin Narjis. Their bond had been established for a long time, and Amir had stated in interviews that Narjis had helped him through his dark moments.
7. Hanif Mohammad (Pakistan)
Often considered as one of the best batsman in cricket history, Hanif Mohammad is a famous figure in Pakistani cricket. Hanif, who was born in Karachi, Pakistan, on December 21, 1934, was renowned for his focus, skill, and capacity for lengthy innings. The renowned batter from Pakistan, who is also the oldest of the renowned Muhammad brothers, wed a relative. Hanif struggled with his health, battling cancer among other things. At the age of 87, he passed away on August 11, 2022, leaving a great legacy in Pakistani cricket.
8. Imran Khan (Pakistan)
Throughout the history of Pakistani sports and cricket, Imran Khan is among the most recognizable characters. He was born on October 5, 1952, in Lahore, Pakistan. He is well-known for his notable accomplishments as a politician and philanthropist in addition to his accomplishments as a cricket player. 1992 saw him lead Pakistan’s cricket team to its one and only ICC Cricket World Cup victory. The former captain of Pakistan’s cricket team and prominent political figure married his cousin Jemima Goldsmith in 1995 (though she is not his biological cousin, there are rumors that she has family ties on her mother’s side). The couple divorced in 2004.
9. Altaf Hussain (Pakistan)
Pakistani cricketer Altaf Hussain was well-known for his all-around skills, especially as a lower-order batsman and left-arm fast bowler. He was born in Karachi, Pakistan, on November 23, 1960, and was a key member of the Pakistan cricket squad in the 1980s and early 1990s. He participated in the 1987 Cricket World Cup as a member of the Pakistani squad, which helped the team do well. In addition, he wed his cousin. In the early 1960s, he was a member of the national team.
10. Asghar Afghan (Afghanistan)
A well-known cricket player from Afghanistan, Asghar Afghan captained the national team in the past. He was instrumental in bringing Afghan cricket to the attention of the world stage. He was born in Kandahar, Afghanistan, on December 22, 1987. Afghanistan triumphed in historic fashion under his leadership, beating Scotland in 2015 for the first time in the World Cup and the West Indies in a noteworthy encounter in 2019. It is widely known in Afghan society that Asghar Afghan, the former captain of the country’s cricket team, wed his cousin.
The majority of these cricket players come from parts of South Asia and other countries where cousin marriages are more common in both society and culture. Cousin marriages are a frequent occurrence in nations like Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Also see: Cricketers Who Have Died Recently (australiaunwrapped.com)
