NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan cricket captain Shoaib Malik and Indian tennis queen Sania Mirza, two of South Asia’s best known sports personalities, are to marry in April, the players said on Tuesday.
Mirza, who has a recurring wrist injury that has affected her game, said she would continue to play after the wedding. “I’m very happy, we’re all very happy,” Mirza told reporters in her home town of Hyderabad. “It’s still a few days away or a few weeks away.”
Malik, an all-rounder who captained Pakistan between 2007 and 2009, told television channels in Pakistan: “We both are also happy and it’s happening next month”. The couple will settle in Dubai after their marriage, Mirza said. “It will be a home away from home,” she said.
The 23-year-old was the first Indian to win a WTA tour event in 2005 and reached her highest world ranking of 27 two years ago although she has since slipped to 92nd.
Malik, 28, has been fighting a 12-month ban by the Pakistan Cricket Board for poor performance and indiscipline. Marriages between citizens of the rival nations are not entirely uncommon, with Muslim families who migrated to Pakistan after the nation was carved out in 1947 maintaining ties with families who remained in India.
Earlier, Sania flew into New Delhi on a brief visit to get her visa to Pakistan where a post-wedding reception is scheduled in April. Accompanied by her mother, the Sania, went to the Pakistan High Commission and completed the formalities.
“We have got the visa. We are happy. Now that we have got the visa, we will be travelling to Pakistan”, her mother Nasima Mirza told reporters. Nasima said the family was very happy with Sania’s decision. “We are very happy about her decision. We are all with her and Inshaallah we wish all the best to her,” she said.
“My wedding Inshallah is going to be the biggest day of my life. I have been in the constant glare for too long and would appreciate privacy at this very personal moment in my life,” Sania said.
While the marriage is likely to be held on April 11 or 12 in Hyderabad, the ‘Valima’ or reception is expected to be held in Lahore on April 16 or 17. In Islamabad, six members of Shoaib Malik’s family have applied for visas to travel to India for the former Pakistan’s captain’s wedding to Sania Mirza.
“Six members of the Malik family have applied for visas but Shoaib himself hasn’t submitted his application so far. But he is expected to do it soon,” official sources said.
The applications were submitted by Shoaib’s uncle Zafar Malik.
Sources also confirmed that Shoaib’s mother was granted visa to travel to India last month. It is speculated that Shoaib’s mother made the marriage proposal to the Mirza family during the trip.
Source: http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=231713
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