Mirza & Malik..

I wonder, why in the most Loving & Compassionate nations; love is politically humiliated and monopolized.. This will be more serious than any event that would examine the future of the Subcontinent.. More than 1.3 billion are now busy with gossips, comments and maybe fights as well.. I would love to see how this drama will come to close..!!

Pakistan's Malik to marry Indian tennis star Mirza
By Rizwan Ali (CP)

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Former Pakistan cricket captain Shoaib Malik will marry Indian tennis star Sania Mirza, a union of two of South Asia's best known sports personalities. "The news of me marrying to Sania is true," Malik posted on Twitter on Tuesday. "Inshallah (God willing) will get married in April." Malik, who was in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, to play in the Bangladesh cricket league, told private television channels in Pakistan that he was happy to be marrying Mirza. "Our families are very happy and we both are also happy," Malik told Geo News. "Parents will decide the dates (of the wedding), it's happening somewhere next month."
The 23-year-old Mirza issued a statement Tuesday confirming she and 28-year-old 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 Sania and Malik will be based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and 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.
Geo Television reported that Mirza, her parents and sister, received visas at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi on Tuesday and were expected to travel to Pakistan next month. The Daily Dawn newspaper quoted family sources of Malik as saying that a reception has been planned at Lahore in mid-April.
Malik, who has been banned from representing Pakistan for a year for infighting during a disastrous tour of Australia this year, said he supported Mirza playing on the WTA Tour. "I fully understand what it takes to be an international sportsperson and I will support Sania in her career as long as she wishes to play," he was quoted as saying.
Mirza, a two-time Grand Slam mixed doubles champion, became the first Indian woman to crack the world top 40 rankings, reaching a career high of No. 27 in August 2007. At one time, the Muslim player was assailed by conservative elements of the Indian community for competing in short skirts and sleeveless shirts. She has not advanced beyond the first round in her last four tournaments and withdrew from tournaments in Malaysia and the United States in recent weeks due to a wrist injury. She is currently No. 92 in the rankings.
Malik has played 29 Tests and scored 1,517 runs at an average of 36.11. In 190 one-day internationals he has 5,141 runs at an average of 34.50 and also taken 132 wickets with his off-spin bowling. Malik lost the captaincy of Pakistan after losing a limited-overs series to Sri Lanka at home last year. He was at the centre of a marriage controversy five years ago when he reportedly broke an engagement with Ayesha Siddiqui, who was from Mirza's hometown in India. The two had reportedly developed a friendship on the Internet and Siddiqui's father had even threatened to take Malik to court. Malik has denied any serious relationship with Siddiqui. The dashing cricketer was also linked with Indian actress Siali Bhagat, and there were reports of the two meeting confidentially in 2008.
Mirza ended a previous engagement to childhood friend Sohrab Mirza in January, citing incompatibility. Newspapers reported that Malik first met Mirza at Hobart, Australia in January, when Pakistan was on tour and Mirza was in the city for a tennis tournament. "It was after this meeting that Mirza's engagement with her childhood friend broke," Daily Jang newspaper reported. It's not the first time that a Pakistani cricketer will marry a high-profile Indian woman.
Former Test batsman Mohsin Khan, now the national chief selector, married Indian actress Reena Roy in the 1980s. The marriage later broke down. This latest marriage will also attract a lot of attention because neighbouring Pakistan and India are longtime rivals, and have fought three wars since 1947.
Diplomatic relations between Pakistan and India grew more tense after a terrorist attack in the Indian film and financial hub of Mumbai in November 2008. As a result, the India cricket team postponed its scheduled Test tour to Pakistan due to security concerns. The Pakistan government refused permission for its players to join the second edition of the Indian Premier League last year before the lucrative Indian domestic league was moved to South Africa. Sporting relations deteriorated further when no Pakistani cricketers were picked up by Indian clubs in this year's auction for the IPL. Malik played for Delhi Daredevils in the inaugural 2008 IPL.

Associated Press writer Omer Farooq contributed to this report from Hyderabad, India.
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