All set to marry star Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik, India’s tennis queen Sania Mirza collected her visa on Wednesday to travel to Pakistan for the wedding which has evoked great interest in both countries.
Accompanied by her mother, the 23-year-old Sania, went to the Pakistan High Commission and completed the formalities during a whirlwind trip to the national capital.
“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.
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Sania herself declined to comment on the impending marriage. “I am not answering any questions”, she said.
Nasima said the family was very happy with Sania’s decision. “We are very happy about her decision. We are all with her and Inshallah we wish all the best to her,” she said.
Malik, a former captain who has been banned for one year for indiscipline during the tour of Australia, said the exact date and place of his marriage with Sania have not been decided yet.
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“It is (marriage) happening next month somewhere and I think parents will decide the dates. It’s entirely upto our parents wherever they will decide,” Shoaib said.
Shoaib said both the families were happy with the development, as was Sania.
“Well Inshallah, we are getting married soon and our families are very happy. We both are also happy,” he said.
Six members of Shoaib’s family have applied for visas to travel to India for the Pakistani cricketer’s much-anticipated wedding in Hyderabad.
“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 in Islamabad said.
Sania’s mother refused to talk about the tennis ace’s previous engagement with childhood friend Sohrab Mirza. “I don’t want to comment on what all happened in the past and we should all look ahead,” she said.
After Pakistani news channel Geo TV broke the news on Tuesday, the Mirza household confirmed the development late in the night through a statement.
A statement by Sania’s father Imran Mirza said Sania and Malik will be based in Dubai, where the cricketer is a resident.
“This is a unique case where the husband and wife will represent their respective countries in sport,” Imran said in the statement.
“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 was quoted as having said in a statement.
While the marriage is likely to be held on April 11 or 12 in Hyderabad, the ‘Walima’ or reception is expected to be held in Lahore on April 16 or 17.
Meanwhile, Adil Mirza, father of Sania Mirza’s ex-fiance, wished good luck to the ace tennis player following her engagement to Shoaib Malik.
“I spoke to Imran (Sania’s father) and congratulated him.
It is a happy thing. I wish best of luck to them,” Adil Mirza told reporters here in Hyderabad.
He said Sania’s engagement to Shoaib Malik will not affect the ties between the two families. “No way. It is an old relationship,” he said.