Hyderabad, April 4 (Inditop.com) Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik Sunday said his wedding to Indian tennis star Sania Mirza would be held as scheduled on April 15 and declined to comment on his alleged earlier marriage with a city girl, Ayesha Siddiqui.
Shoiab, who is staying at the residence of Sania Mirza in the city, came out to speak to waiting reporters outside the house in the afternoon.
He also said that Sania will continue to play tennis for India after their marriage.
To Ayesha’s allegations that he had married her in 2002, Shoaib said his lawyer would answer the query. “The things being said about me, it is a legal thing and my lawyer will answer the questions,” was all Shoaib said to repeated questions from mediapersons on the issue.
“Sania is very happy and knows the truth,” he added.
“We are getting married, Inshaallah, on April 15. Preparations are on in full swing,” a smiling Shoaib told reporters.
“The atmosphere here is very good, we (Sania and he) are very happy.”
To a question on Sania’s tennis career, he said: “She will play tennis as long as she wants, my family’s support is there,” adding, “she will play for India”.
On Saturday Shoaib was spotted on the balcony with Sania and the duo was later seen dancing, though on Sunday he preferred to remain indoors. A battery of mediapersons was camping outside the Mirza residence in the posh Jubilee Hills neighbourhood.
Former secretary of Andhra Cricket Association, V. Chamundeshwarnath, paid another visit to Sania’s house amid speculation that he was trying to mediate between Shoaib and the family of Ayesha Siddiqui, who claims to be the first wife of the Pakistani star.
Chamundeshwarnath, however, has denied that he was trying to mediate and maintained that he came to convey his best wishes as he knows Sania since her childhood.
The visitors to Sania’s house including her relatives and friends indicated that preparation were in full swing for the high profile marriage, scheduled to be held on April 15.
Ayesha has threatened to launch legal proceedings against Shoaib for cheating.
Shoaib reportedly cleared the air over the serious allegations levelled by Ayesha and her parents. Sania’s family was apparently convinced by his claim that Ayesha cheated him by using the photographs of another girl. While admitting that he signed the ‘nikahnama’, Shoaib reportedly told Sania and her parents that he did not marry Ayesha.
Sania, in her Twitter page, said they knew the “truth” and had confidence in god’s justice.
With dozens of mediapersons with cameras and OB vans surrounding her house in Jubilee Hills and obstructing the guests, Sania’s family Sunday sought police protection. Some policemen in addition to her private security guards were deployed at the house.
Meanwhile, the family of Ayesha Siddiqui said they were going ahead with the legal proceedings against Shoaib to get a formal divorce from him. They want Shoaib to give divorce to her before marrying Sania and have hired a lawyer in Pakistan to file a case against him.
rounak