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Sania Mirza’s most public cricketing connection was her marriage to Pakistan’s star all-rounder Shoaib Malik. The two tied the knot in April 2010 and divorced in January 2024.
Four of Sania Mirza’s family members captained India and Pakistan cricket teams. (Shutterstock)
When Sania Mirza picked up a tennis racquet as a young girl in Hyderabad, little did anyone know that she would not only redefine women’s tennis but also emerge as a rare bridge between two of the subcontinent’s most celebrated sports – tennis and cricket. Today, Sania stands as a six-time Grand Slam winner, the first Indian woman to achieve such a feat, and a global face of sports.
But behind the trophies and the spotlight lies a fascinating story; four members of her extended family have captained the national cricket teams of India and Pakistan. Few athletes in the world can claim to belong to such an extraordinary sporting lineage.
This unique intersection of tennis and cricket in Sania’s life offers a glimpse into both her personal and professional worlds, making her journey stand apart even among the greatest athletes.
Shoaib Malik
Sania Mirza’s most public cricketing connection was her marriage to Pakistan’s star all-rounder Shoaib Malik. The two tied the knot in April 2010, a wedding that captured global headlines as it symbolised a rare bond between India and Pakistan through sport. For 14 years, the couple remained in the limelight, raising their son Izhan together, until they divorced in January 2024.
While Sania continues to live in Dubai with her son as a single mother, Shoaib Malik has moved on to marry Pakistani actress Sana Javed. Despite retirement from Test cricket in 2015 and ODIs in 2019, Malik remains active in T20 leagues around the world, including the Pakistan Super League. He was Pakistan’s captain in all three formats at different times, leading the team to the 2007 T20 World Cup final and eventually lifting the T20 World Cup in 2009. His record remains impressive; more than 7,500 ODI runs, over 2,400 runs in T20 internationals, and centuries in Test cricket. He was also the first cricketer to feature in 100 T20 internationals.
Azharuddin
The Mirza family’s cricketing connection does not end there. Sania’s younger sister, Anam Mirza, is married to Mohammad Asad, son of India’s former captain Mohammad Azharuddin. Known for his wristy elegance and remarkable batting talent, Azharuddin remains one of the most admired cricketers.
Born in Hyderabad in 1963, Azharuddin burst onto the international stage by scoring centuries in his first three Test matches, a record that still stands unique. Over his career, he represented India in 99 Tests and 334 ODIs, amassing more than 15,000 international runs. He captained India in 47 Tests and 174 ODIs, remembered both for his brilliance with the bat and his leadership during the 1990s.
Ghulam Ahmed
Sania’s cricket lineage stretches further back to her father’s uncle, Ghulam Ahmed, who captained India in the 1950s. An off-spinner from Hyderabad, Ghulam Ahmed played 22 Test matches between 1948 and 1958. Though his international career was modest in numbers, he was entrusted with leadership in three Test matches and went on to become a respected figure in Indian cricket administration. He passed away in 1998 at the age of 76 but remains an important link in the Mirza family’s cricketing legacy.
Asif Iqbal
Adding another layer to this unique story is Sania’s uncle, former Pakistan captain Asif Iqbal. Born in Hyderabad, Asif initially played domestic cricket in India before moving to Pakistan in the early 1960s. He eventually became one of Pakistan’s most stylish middle-order batsmen and captained the national side in six Test matches.
Asif Iqbal’s career included 58 Tests and 4390 runs, along with more than 2300 runs in ODIs. He famously led Pakistan on their tour of India in 1979-80, a series that held immense political and emotional weight given the history between the two countries.
While her family’s cricketing ties are remarkable, Sania’s own achievements remain unmatched in tennis. She won six Grand Slam titles – three in women’s doubles and three in mixed doubles – alongside global partners including Martina Hingis. Her victories at Wimbledon (2015), US Open (2015), and Australian Open (2016) cemented her as one of the world’s best doubles players.
At her peak, Sania was ranked world No. 1 in doubles, an achievement no other Indian woman has managed. She also won 43 WTA doubles titles and a WTA singles title, while climbing into the top 30 of the WTA singles rankings, again, the highest for an Indian woman. Her medal tally at the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, including a mixed doubles gold at the 2014 Asian Games, further adds to her decorated career.
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