This handout photograph provided courtesy of Wasim Akram shows former Pakistani cricket captain Wasim Akram posing with his Australian bride Shaniera Thompson during their wedding ceremony in Lahore on August 12, 2013. PHOTO: AFP
KARACHI: Famed Pakistan paceman Wasim Akram on Wednesday announced that he had married his Australian girlfriend, Shaniera Thompson, saying he has started a new life on a happy note.
"I married Shaniera in Lahore last week in a simple ceremony and this is the start of a new life for me, my wife and for my kids," Wasim told AFP.
The 47-year-old's first wife Huma died in 2009 after multiple organ failure.
Wasim proposed to 30-year-old Thompson, a former public relations consultant, on bended knee last month.
Thompson came to Karachi earlier this month before going to Lahore to see Wasim's ailing father, where the marriage was solemnised.
Wasim said Thompson had converted to Islam and is learning Urdu.
"She has embraced Islam and is learning our language. She has been close to my sons and they form a very good bond," said Wasim of his two sons from his first marriage.
Wasim played 104 Tests and 356 one-day internationals for Pakistan in a career lasting from 1984 to 2003.
He was regarded as one of the best left-arm fast bowlers to have played the game and remains a major celebrity in Pakistan.
Wasim was player of the tournament in the country's only triumph in the World Cup, in Australia in 1992. He captained Pakistan to a runners-up finish in the 1999 World Cup in England.
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best of luck wsim bhai
Congrats to both of u! I have a very dear guy in Peshawar whom I have known very well now for 2 years now. Would have loved to visit him now in Pakistan as I haven't seen him since last year October, there we met the last time in Dubai. Never been to Pakistan but it must be a wonderful country with amazing landscapes despite the negative things that are often written about Pakistan. Keep up ur wonderful marriage !!!
@Sameera Castaneda: You could also have lived in India where there are plenty of Muslims but due to India's constitution, Muslim clergy dare not butt in to people's personal decisions. . Many Muslim women married Hindu men and each kept their religion. SOme current examples - Slman Khan's sister Alvira Khan married to Atul Agnihotri a Hindu, Farah Khan the director, actor and choreographer also has a Hindu husband, Sanjay Khan's daughter Suzanne is married to Hrithik Roshan - a Hindu. OF course the reverse examples are also true e.g. Shah Rukh, Amir, Saif have Hindu wives who have remained Hindu.
@SHAGY: "As far as I know there is legally no restriction in a Muslim marrying a non-Muslim. Even in Islam a Muslim Man or Woman can marry a non-Muslim woman or Man (respectively) though it is always preferred that both parties are Muslim or the man is Muslim as the children follow father’s religion and pass it on to next generations."
Islam forbids a Muslim woman from marrying a non-Muslim man. If he wants to marry her, he must first convert to Islam. Islam permits Muslim men from marrying non-Muslim women as long as they were people of the book i.e. she was Christian or Jew as long as she is willing to convert subsequent to marriage.
Congatez
@عرل: Please get some help!!!
Congrats Wasim bhai....ET, player of tournament in 1992 World Cup was Martin Crowe, Wasim bhai was Man-of-the-Match in the Final.
My husband is from Mexico and he is a catholic and I am from Muslim. We follow our own religions. We live in Nevada where there are few Muslims so this arrangement work well with us.
Wasim Akram was never 'Player of the Tournament' of 1992 Cricket WC. It was Martin Crowe. Wasim was highest wicket taker along with Man of the Match of The Final.
"@somi ali: Whatever they did was out of their own will .. so why is it bothering you? "
Just because a Muslim converting to another religion bothers you.
@Zain M: "Jeans" called her 'bhabhi' in his comment above.
@Petrichor
As far as I know there is legally no restriction in a Muslim marrying a non-Muslim. Even in Islam a Muslim Man or Woman can marry a non-Muslim woman or Man (respectively) though it is always preferred that both parties are Muslim or the man is Muslim as the children follow father's religion and pass it on to next generations.
i bet the 1st aussie (tourist) this year! reena (roy) gone! jemima gone! hope shaniera doesn't shuns pakistan! looking at the lighter side hope she proves to lure the aussies to hit the pitch here!
and also She is 18 yrs younger to him..so when she was born he was playing cricket in australia..ha
@huh:
take it easy...get a life man !
@somi ali: Whatever they did was out of their own will .. so why is it bothering you? this isn't a place for religious discussion.
Thank goodness nobody is calling her Bhabi !
Must say she is very lucky to marry Wasim Akram, very lucky indeed.
In our society when would we allow our women to marry foreigners? We claim to be fair and equal rights for all but our men marry white girls and we all back them up and are proud of them. Who is going to marry our sisters and daughters if most of the top Pakistanis marry outside Pakistan? What is wrong with our Pakistani women and where are equal rights?
Why can't they simply follow their respective religions Is it compulsory for non-muslims to convert to Islam in order to marry a muslim (whether the non-muslim be the man or the woman)?
For those like me who are not familiar with the laws related to marriage in Pakistan, could anyone enlighten me on this matter? Thanks.
I think converting her to Islam was greater than the marriage itself. Ummah is so grateful to Wasim Bhai for this fariza.
@somi ali: Because Islam is the true religion
Waseem can I exchange my sana for Shania please
Lucky man.
Got second wife in his life time.
@somi ali: Why Mr. Jinnah did not become Parsi instead of converting his wife to Islam??
"She has converted to Islam"
Now there u go.. you guys!!!
allah wasim ko khush rakhy
Congratulations sir :)
This women must be sincere muslim not like a bee which flies from flower to flower where the nectar is. Wasim no more publicity games for the newspapers be a true muslim when away from the cameras. By the way muslims do not propose no bended knee this is English culture. Walk like a muslim; eat like a muslim and act like a muslim.
@somi ali: Your are asking commonsense question but such questions are not allowed. Read what sharia says about marrying or adopting an infidel.
Nearly all religious congregation impose the bride or groom to convert to the faith under whose faith the wedding is solemnized. But Islamic sharia is an exception as it is always oneway street.
Waisim would have been an apostate Under your suggestion and punishment for apostate is ....?
Shabaash cheetay !!!!
Congratulations.
Try to avoid the foot steps of Imran Khan.
One more addition to the religion of peace.
why she has converted to Islam? Why Akram did not become a christian?
I think Wasim has done great injustice to his sons by marrying twice. Now all his attention would be diverted to this Australian-money & glamor oriented- women, instead of his sons.Sad day for all children of the world.
I think Wasim has done great injustice to his sons by marrying twice. Now all his attention would be diverted to this Australian-money & glamor oriented- women, instead of his sons.Sad day for all children of the world
Congratulations to the happy couple and best of luck
It's great when people fall and get back up on their feet to live this life positively. Congratulations to the couple!
Welcome to the club bhai.
Haye! they look so good together!
@Saim: Now she would be scared of judgemental guys like you.
and she converts to islam........that explains everything!
Both look good :)
congrats
Best of luck for the future Wasim. May you two have a blessed future.
please stay away from molana fazul-ur-rehman. stay happy
"Wasim said Thompson had converted to Islam and is learning Urdu" No matter how you try to represent her, Mullahs of Pakistan will never accept ", she has REALLY converted. We have Imran a JEW AGENT- according to Fazal,- Now its your turn man. You start teaching her ARABI for good and bad. Congratulation and happy hereafter
cool
Sada Suhagan reho Shaniera Thompson Bhabhi ;)
Congrats man! Wasim soon to be an aussie national, waqar already is! About time they should clear out their differences and be buddies :)
Brave move by the lady in these troubled times, congratulations to the couple
Congratulation my Hero, wish you Happy Life...
Wasim proposed to 30-year-old Thompson, a former public relations consultant, on bended knee last month.
Mentioning the bended knee was important? :D Privacy please ;)
Congratulations to Wasim and good wishes for future.. Who I am to object but I must say that our celebrities, politicians, mullahs, generals and everyone else at top want best for themselves and their families but propose Talibani Nizaam for common people.
“She has embraced Islam and is learning our language.
ah...................... obviously scared of Mullah's !!
Congrats to both Wasim and Shaniera.....
Congrats Wasim.... best of luck for both of u :)
My best wishes for Wasim and Shaniera! So I think JUIF's cheif Moulana Diesel must be working on his press conference speech to declare Wasim a Jewish agent.
Wish you a happy and blessed life Wasim bhai :)
Congratulations to both. Wishing you a very happy life together.