7 cricketers who married other cricketers’ daughter

It is not very rare to see cricketers expanding their relationships within the cricketing circle. Spending a huge amount of time together during tours, tournaments, and training naturally extends these relations into personal lives. In many cases, these connections turn into lifelong relationships, with cricketers marrying into families that are already connected to the sport.

7. Shadab Khan 

Pakistani all-rounder Shadab Khan tied the knot with Malaika Saqlain, daughter of legendary spinner and former Pakistan head coach Saqlain Mushtaq, on January 23, 2023. The nikah ceremony was a private affair, with Shadab announcing the news on social media.

Shadab, who made his international debut in 2017, has gone on to become the vice-captain of the T20I side. Recently, he underwent shoulder surgery in the UK, ruling him out for three months. Meanwhile, Saqlain Mushtaq was the inventor of the doosra variation and an important member of Pakistan’s bowling lineup in the late ’90s. With over 200 Test and 288 ODI wickets, he is considered one of the best spinners of his generation.

6. Mike Atherton 

Former England captain Mike Atherton is married to Isabelle de Caires, the granddaughter of West Indies cricketer Frank de Caires. Notably, the couple’s son, Josh de Caires, signed a professional deal with Middlesex in 2020.

Frank de Caires was a right-handed batter who played three Tests for the West Indies in 1930. In the West Indies’ first-ever home Test series against England, Caires scored 80 and 70 in the Bridgetown Test. Though his international career was brief, he represented British Guiana (now Guyana) and played 18 first-class matches with a top score of 133. Meanwhile, Atherton played 115 Tests for England, scoring 7,728 runs. He captained England in 54 Tests. After retiring in 2001, Atherton transitioned into broadcasting and journalism and is an active commentator. 

5. Andrew Hilditch and Bob Simpson

Former Australian opener and selector, Andrew Hilditch, is married to Kim Simpson, daughter of legendary cricketer Bob Simpson. The couple’s son, James Hilditch, has also shown his interest in the game, having represented South Australia at the U-19 level. 

Bob Simpson played 62 Tests, scoring nearly 5,000 runs with 10 centuries, including a 311. Simpson came out of retirement at 41 to captain Australia during the World Series Cricket. As a coach, he was crucial in rebuilding the national team during the 1980s and early ’90s, leading them to World Cup glory and Ashes win. Meanwhile, Andrew Hilditch played 18 Tests and eight ODIs between 1979 and 1985. He hammered centuries against the West Indies and England. After retiring, he served as Australia’s chief selector from 2006 to 2011.

4. Mark Butcher 

Former England left-handed batter, Mark Butcher, was once married to Judy Stewart, the daughter of former England cricketer, Surrey captain, Micky Stewart. Notably, Judy was the sister of former England captain Alec Stewart. Butcher, playing 71 Tests for England between 1997 and 2004, scored over 4,200 runs, including eight centuries. After the couple’s fallout, Butcher struggled in his cricketing career.

Butcher’s ex-father-in-law, Stewart, played eight Tests for England but hammered 26,000 first-class runs for Surrey. He led Surrey to the County Championship in 1971. After retirement, he became England’s first full-time team manager from 1986 to 1992

3. Umar Akmal 

In 2014, former Pakistani batter Umar Akmal tied the knot with Noor Amna, the daughter of legendary leg-spinner Abdul Qadir. Noor is also the sister of Usman Qadir.

Qadir, one of Pakistan’s most iconic bowlers, bamboozled the batters in the 1970s and 80s. The former picked 236 Test wickets in 67 matches. Notably, Qadir mentored Mushtaq Ahmed and Danish Kaneria and briefly served as Pakistan’s chief selector. Akmal came onto the scene in 2009. He scored a century on Test debut at just 19, and played 221 international matches across formats. 

2. Dinesh Karthik 

Former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik is the son-in-law of former India women’s cricketer Susan Itticheria. He married Indian squash star Dipika Pallikal in 2015, making Susan Itticheria and Karthik the first mother-in-law and son-in-law duo to have both played international cricket. The couple has twin sons named Kabir and Zian, born on October 18, 2021.

Susan Itticheria was a medium-pace bowler and played in India’s inaugural Women’s Test in 1976 against the West Indies. Her international career spanned seven Tests and two ODIs, including a three-wicket haul in an unofficial Test against New Zealand and a Rani Jhansi Trophy spell where she dismantled North Zone with 4 for 3. Karthik, on the other hand, debuted for India in 2004 and had a mixed international career across formats. He played 103 international matches and made a memorable comeback in 2018 as a finisher. Karthik has turned into a cricket commentator and was also part of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s winning campaign as a batting coach and mentor.

1. Shaheen Afridi 

Shaheen Shah Afridi married Ansha Afridi, the daughter of legendary all-rounder Shahid Afridi, in a beautiful nikah ceremony on February 3, 2023, followed by grand celebrations in Karachi and Islamabad. In August 2024, the couple welcomed their first child, a baby boy named Aliyaar Afridi. Despite public interest, Ansha has remained a private personality, focusing on her medical studies in the UK and away from the media limelight.

Shaheen, one of the premier fast bowlers, has been the leading Pakistan’s bowling attack in recent years. He also led the team for a brief time before stepping down from the role. Meanwhile, Shahid is one of the most well-known Pakistani cricketers. The former all-rounder played 524 international matches and was crucial in Pakistan’s 2009 T20 World Cup triumph.