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Shoaib Akhtar's Wife: Rubab Khan and His Personal Life

Shoaib Akhtar, Pakistan's legendary fast bowler, married Rubab Khan in 2014. The couple has two sons and Akhtar has spoken publicly about the importance of family after his cricket career.

By SportsMonkie Editorial Updated June 29, 2026

Shoaib Akhtar, Pakistan’s record-breaking fast bowler known as the “Rawalpindi Express,” married Rubab Khan in 2014. The couple has two sons together and Akhtar, who retired from international cricket in 2011, has spoken openly about how fatherhood and family life have shaped his post-cricket years.

Who Is Rubab Khan?

Rubab Khan is Shoaib Akhtar’s wife, whom he married in a private ceremony in 2014, three years after his retirement from professional cricket. Rubab comes from a well-known Pakistani family. The couple has maintained a relatively private personal life compared to many celebrities of Akhtar’s profile.

Akhtar has shared glimpses of family life on social media, often expressing pride in his sons and speaking about parenthood in interviews.

Shoaib Akhtar: A Brief Biography

DetailInformation
Full nameShoaib Akhtar
Date of birth13 August 1975
BirthplaceRawalpindi, Pakistan
International career1997–2011
Test wickets178
ODI wickets247
Known forWorld’s fastest recorded delivery (161.3 km/h)
WifeRubab Khan (married 2014)
ChildrenTwo sons

His Playing Career

Shoaib Akhtar is one of the most celebrated fast bowlers in the history of cricket. Known for extreme pace and aggression, he was a match-winner for Pakistan across Tests and ODIs from the late 1990s until his retirement in 2011. His most famous achievement was recording the fastest delivery in cricket history — 161.3 km/h (100.2 mph) — at the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup.

He played under captains including Wasim Akram and Inzamam-ul-Haq, and was central to Pakistan’s bowling attacks during one of their most vibrant periods in international cricket.

Life After Cricket

Since retiring, Akhtar has become one of cricket’s most recognisable media personalities. He appears as a commentator and pundit across television networks and maintains a large social media following, where he regularly shares opinions on Pakistan cricket and the broader game.

He has written an autobiography — Controversially Yours — which offers an honest account of his turbulent career, personal struggles, and the controversies that marked his time as a player.

Family as a Foundation

Akhtar has spoken in multiple interviews about how marriage and fatherhood gave him stability and focus that he felt was sometimes lacking during his playing career. He has described becoming a father as one of the most important experiences of his life and often posts about his sons on social media.

Quick summary: Shoaib Akhtar married Rubab Khan in 2014, three years after retiring from international cricket. The couple has two sons. Since retiring, Akhtar has built a media career as a cricket pundit and commentator while maintaining a private but visible family life.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Shoaib Akhtar's wife?+

Shoaib Akhtar is married to Rubab Khan. The couple married in 2014 in a private ceremony. Rubab Khan is from a well-known Pakistani family.

How many children does Shoaib Akhtar have?+

Shoaib Akhtar has two sons with his wife Rubab Khan. He has spoken warmly about fatherhood in interviews and on social media.

When did Shoaib Akhtar get married?+

Shoaib Akhtar married Rubab Khan in 2014, following a quieter personal life during his playing career, which ended in 2011.

Sources