Cricketer Shoaib Malik took to social media on January 20 to announce his marriage to Pakistani actress Sana Javed, marking his third marriage. The revelation ended speculation about his relationship with Indian tennis legend Sania Mirza. While it was initially unclear whether Malik and Mirza were divorced, subsequent reports provided more clarity on the matter.
A family source disclosed to PTI that it was Sania Mirza who initiated the divorce proceedings. The source mentioned, “It was a ‘khula.’ I do not wish to comment beyond this.”
Pakistani publication Geo TV reported earlier that the divorce process had begun in late 2022, citing sources that revealed Sania’s unhappiness with Malik’s interactions with other women. The report stated that while she had ignored the issue for a while, Sania Mirza eventually ran out of patience and took the step to file for divorce.
The Geo TV report also noted that Shoaib Malik’s family was “very sad” about the divorce, which is why they did not attend his wedding to Sana Javed.
In Islamic law, Talaaq and Khula are two different methods of obtaining a divorce. In Talaaq, the husband initiates the divorce by informing his wife orally or in writing. There is a waiting period called ‘iddah’ to see if reconciliation is possible. If reconciliation fails during this time, the divorce becomes final.
On the other hand, Khula involves the wife taking the initiative for a divorce. Typically, she returns her dowry or wedding gifts. Similar to Talaaq, there is a waiting period, but in Khula, it is more about the wife’s desire to leave.
A wife may seek Khula in various situations, including abuse or neglect, irreconcilable marital differences, financial neglect by the husband, or the husband’s prolonged absence. Personal reasons such as emotional dissatisfaction or differing life goals may also prompt a wife to initiate the Khula process.
Shoaib Malik’s announcement of his marriage to Sana Javed has garnered attention on social media, with fans expressing their reactions to the cricketer’s latest relationship development. The disclosure of Sania Mirza filing for divorce adds a layer of complexity to the narrative, raising discussions about personal relationships in the public eye and the challenges faced by public figures in navigating their private lives amid media scrutiny.
As the news continues to circulate, it remains to be seen how the involved parties and the public respond to these developments. The intersection of sports, entertainment, and personal relationships often becomes a subject of public fascination, and the Shoaib Malik-Sania Mirza saga is no exception.