Indian tennis star Sania Mirza is all set to marry Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik in April, two months after she broke her engagement with childhood friend Sohrab Mirza.
Confirming the news, Malik wrote in his Twitter page, "Thanks for all your support. And the news of me marrying to Sania is true. Inshallah will get married in April."
"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," he said. "Representing India at the 2012 Olympics is very important for her and I will be the proudest husband if she can win a medal for her country," he added.
A statement by Sania's father Imran Mirza also stated that 23-year-old Sania and the 28-year-old all-rounder will be based in Dubai, where Malik is a resident.
"This is a unique case where the husband and wife will represent their respective countries in sport," said Mirza in Hyderabad.
"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.
"I hope to be fully fit to represent India in the Commonwealth and Asian Games that are scheduled for later this year," she said. Sania's mother, Nasima said, "Marriages are made in heaven."
Incidentally, Shoaib was earlier accused of marrying another Hyderabad girl, Ayesha Siddiqui, in 2002 over phone even though the cricketer said he was merely engaged to her.
Ayesha's father had also threatened to sue Malik accusing him of ditching the girl. Malik's brother-in-law Imran Z Malik said the marriage proposal was taken by the cricketer's mother to India.
He said the entire family will leave for India on April 7 and formal nikaah ceremony would take place on April 10 or 11. The Walima or reception is expected to be held in Lahore on April 16 or 17.
Pakistani media reports said Sania and Malik fell in love six-and-half months back and it could be the reason for the breaking up of Sania's engagement with Sohrab.
Sania, who had got engaged to 24-year-old Sohrab in July last year, broke off citing incompatibilty.
"We were friends for years but found ourselves incompatible as fiances," Sania had said while wishing Sohrab the very best in life.
