Imran Khan's hat-trick: Cricketer turned politician marries Bushra Maneka

Imran Khan has married for a third time - to a faith healer who has helped him in the past, his party has announced.

Fawad Hussain, spokesman for Khan's Pakistan Taherik-e-Insaf (PTI) party said the 65-year-old cricket legend-turned politician married Bushra Maneka.

His bride is a divorced faith healer from a deeply conservative and politically influential family from eastern Punjab province.

He tweeted "I want to thank everyone for their prayers and good wishes on my marriage."

Friends say he has turned to her in the past for spiritual healing.

The PTI released photographs of him smiling, sitting with his new wife, who is wearing a veil, and her relatives.

Rumours Mr Khan was planning to marry his spiritual advisor have been circulating since 2016, with Khan denying them and calling reports they had already tied the knot 'unethical'.

His first marriage, to socialite Jemima Khan, ended in divorce in 2004, after nine years, while his second, to journalist Reham Khan lasted just just 10 months before ending in 2015.

Considered by many to be Pakistan's greatest-ever cricketer, Khan retired after leading the national team to the World Cup in 1992.

He had gained a reputation as a playboy during his sporting career, but in 1996 signalled a change of focus by founding the PTI.

Though defeated in the 2013 elections, Khan has said he is determined to fulfill his ambition of becoming Pakistan's next prime minister following parliamentary elections, due in July this year.