Amidst the whirlwind of their divorce and subsequent remarriages, Indian tennis star Sania Mirza and Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik came together to celebrate their son Izhaan Mirza Malik’s sixth birthday in Dubai. The heartwarming occasion was marked by special celebrations and affectionate Instagram posts from both parents, showcasing their continued love and dedication to their son.
Sania shared a series of adorable photos, expressing her overwhelming joy on her son’s birthday. “My baby boy, I can’t believe you are 6. You are the reason for my smile 💙 Happy birthday laddu ❤️,” she captioned one picture.
One photo featured Sania lovingly kissing Izhaan on the cheek, while another showed the birthday boy beaming beside his cake. The cake’s playful design featured a Ronaldo figurine holding Izhaan’s hand, both sporting the iconic number 7 jersey.
Shoaib Malik also shared a heartfelt post on Instagram, writing, “Happy birthday champ! May you have many more years filled with laughter and love Izzu🤍 Baba always has your back and may you grow up to make us all proud.”
However, the joyous occasion was overshadowed by a wave of comments from followers, expressing their concern over the situation. Some users noted Izhaan’s apparent discomfort in photos with his father, suggesting a strained relationship. One user even claimed, “There is a huge difference in bonding…the child is so shy this time as he is standing with an unknown person. It’s really heartbreaking.” Another user added, “Izhaan has changed.. he is more comfortable with asad(his uncle) than his father.. he couldn’t even have an eye contact with his own father..”
Further fueling the controversy, some fans raised concerns about Izhaan’s happiness, suggesting a disconnect between him and his father. One comment stated, “The child is disconnected with the vibe,” while another user expressed their sadness, saying, “Shoaib, you have consciously lost and destroyed your beautiful family.”
These comments highlight the sensitive nature of the situation, with many fans expressing concern for Izhaan’s emotional well-being amidst the turmoil surrounding his parents.
Sania Mirza and Shoaib Malik welcomed Izhaan in October 2018, and he currently resides with his mother.
The couple’s divorce announcement in January 2024, followed by Shoaib’s remarriage to Pakistani actress Sana Javed, sparked intense media attention and public discussion. Sania’s family later released a statement clarifying that she and Shoaib had already been divorced for several months, emphasizing Sania’s desire to move forward and requesting respect for her privacy during this difficult time.
While the celebrations surrounding Izhaan’s birthday offer a glimpse of joy and family unity, the lingering controversy surrounding his parents’ divorce and remarriages casts a shadow over the occasion. It remains to be seen how the family will navigate this complex situation and ensure Izhaan’s emotional well-being amidst the public scrutiny and ongoing speculation.
