ISLAMABAD, 23 June 2004 — Former Pakistani cricket hero Imran Khan and his British wife Jemima have divorced, ending their nine-year marriage.

Imran, 50, said it was a mutual decision.

“I sadly announce that Jemima and I have divorced,” Imran said.

“This was a mutual decision and is clearly very sad for both of us. My home and my future is in Pakistan,” he said in a statement.

“Whilst Jemima tried her best to settle here, my political life made it difficult for her to adapt to life in Pakistan.”

Jemima, the daughter of late multimillionaire British industrialist James Goldsmith, married Imran in Paris in May 1995 after she converted to Islam. They have two sons, Suleiman, 7, and Kasim, 5.

Rumors of an impending split have intensified this year as Jemima, 30, spent more and more time in London where she is studying for a master’s degree at the School of Oriental and African Studies.

When Imran announced his marriage to Jemima many expected him to settle permanently in one of London’s swankier neighborhoods.

But the British heiress agreed to settle with him in Lahore at her in-law’s house. The couple’s close friends said she found it hard to adapt to the local culture and remained uncomfortable in the conservative surroundings.

The couple finally moved to Islamabad in 2000 and Imran devoted himself to politics after winning a seat in 2002 elections.

The divorce was announced in the absence of Jemima who is in London with their sons.

Imran’s statement was silent about their children.

Under Pakistani law, a mother can keep children under the age of seven years.

“In case of dispute, a family court decides who should have the custody of minor boys,” lawyer Arif Saeed said.

Family sources said the couple had decided to rotate custody of the children between them.