Former Pakistan cricket team captain Shoaib Malik is set to marry Indian tennis star Sania Mirza, a union of two of South Asia's best known sports personalities. Shoaib and 13 members of his family have applied for Indian visa seven days ago. Indian High Commission in Islamabad has confirmed receiving applications of visa from Shoaib and relatives.
-- Shoaib Malik, family applied for Indian visa seven days ago
The mission, however, did not confirm when the visas would be issued, a private news channel reported. Sania, her parents and sister have applied for a visa at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi on Tuesday. They are expected to be issued a three-week visa with 60 days validity.
"The news of me marrying to Sania is true," Malik posted on Twitter on Tuesday. "Inshallah we will tie the knot in April." The 23-year-old Sania ended a previous engagement to childhood friend Sohrab Mirza in January, citing incompatibility.
She issued a statement on Tuesday confirming she and Malik planned to marry, but asking for privacy. "My wedding Inshallah is going to be the biggest day of my life," she said. "I have been in the media glare for too long and would appreciate a little privacy at this very personal moment in my life."
Her father, Imran Mirza, said both Sania and Malik will reside in Dubai, United Arab Emirates but continue to represent their countries in their respective sports. "This is a unique case where husband and wife will represent their respective countries in sport," he said in a statement issued in Hyderabad, India, where the family lives.
Malik said he supported Sania's ambition of playing on the professional tour. "I fully understand what it takes to be an international sports person and I will support Sania in her career as long as she wishes to play," Shoaib was quoted as saying.