Pakistani cricketers linked to B-town stars

It is a special day for cricket fans across the country as the Indian team will battle it out against Pakistan in the World Cup 2023. Beyond cricket, the Pakistani players have often been linked to popular Bollywood actresses. From Shoaib Akhtar to Wasim Akhtar, take a look at instances when Pakistani cricketers were rumoured to be dating actresses like Sushmita Sen and Sonali Bendre.

Back in the 80s, Pakistani cricketer Imran Khan crossed paths with Bollywood beauty Zeenat Aman. Reports suggest that when the Pakistan cricket team was in India in 1979 for a tournament, Imran Khan celebrated his 27th birthday with Zeenat Aman. However, this romance didn’t translate into marriage because Imran insisted on staying in Pakistani, while Zeenat Aman reportedly didn’t want to quit India or give up her career.

In 2020, a picture of Abdul Razzaq and Tamannaah Bhatia had cropped up on social media, wherein they were spotted in a jewellery store. Netizens were quick to speculate their romance and marriage, but turned out the celebrities were attending the opening ceremony of a store. The actress had later clarified on the rumors too, stating that she doesn’t appreciate ‘baseless news’ about her personal life.

In 2013, there was massive buzz about Wasim Akram dating Bollywood actress Sushmita Sen. Buzz about their romance was fuelled after their appeared as judges in 2008 Indian dance show Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena. However, Akram had later denied the rumours stating that Sushmita and he are just good friends. The Pakistani crickter had also showered praise on the former Miss Universe, calling her the most graceful and decent ladies that he had come across.

Back in 2000, there was massive buzz about Shoaib Akhtar being in love with Bollywood actress Sonali Bendre. The former Pakistani cricketer would reportedly carry a picture of Sonali in his wallet and even his teammates were aware about his feeling for the Sarfarosh star. Years later he denied the “baseless” rumours and claimed that he was never was a fan of the actress. Shoaib reportedly stated that he has only watched a few of Sonali Bendre and admired her courage during her battle with cancer.