After parting ways with Sania Mirza, former Pakistan cricket captain Shoaib Malik has often faced public scrutiny, especially after his second marriage to actress Sana Javed.
However, despite the separation, Shoaib has maintained a strong bond with his son, Izhaan Mirza Malik, who lives with his mother in Dubai.
During a recent appearance on a Ramzan TV program, Shoaib revealed that his relationship with Izhaan is more of a friendship than a traditional father-son bond. Interestingly, Izhaan doesn’t call him "Papa" but instead addresses him as "Bro."
Shoaib Malik shared, "Theek hai, mera beta hai, par jo uske saath relationship hai vo dosti wala hai. He calls me bro, mai bhi usko kabhi kabhi bro bolta hoon. (Although he is my son, my bond with him is more like friends than father and son, that is why he calls me bro instead of papa"
Despite the distance, Shoaib makes it a priority to meet his son at least twice a month in Dubai. He also ensures that whenever he is there, he takes part in his son’s daily activities, including school drop-offs, pick-ups, and football practice.
Shoaib explained, "Main koshish karta hoon mahine mein at least do dafa mil loon Dubai jaake. Aur jo bhi din waha rehta hoon, I make sure I drop him to school, pick him up, aur uski activities mein shamil hota hoon."
The cricketer also revealed that Izhaan loves football and often challenges him to a "proper match" in the park.
Despite his split from Sania, Shoaib continues to fulfil his fatherly responsibilities. On Izhaan’s birthday, Shoaib took him out for a special dinner celebration, surprising him with a car-themed cake.
A video from the celebration showed Shoaib trying to kiss Izhaan, though the little one appeared slightly uncomfortable. Meanwhile, Sana Javed, Shoaib’s third wife and Izhaan’s stepmother, did not publicly wish for the child, which sparked further speculation online.
While Shoaib Malik remains a controversial figure post-divorce, his efforts to be present in Izhaan’s life are evident. Whether being an active part of his routine or bonding over football, Shoaib continues to prioritize his relationship with his son.
