SHOAIB MALIK

PCB committee clears Shoaib Malik from all charges

2011-08-19T13:28:00.001+05:30

Islamabad—Former Pakistan Captain Shoaib Malik has been cleared of all charges by Pakistan Cricket Board’s Integrity Committee on Thursday and would be part of the Pakistani Squad for the forthcoming tour of Zimbabwe.According to reliable resources, All-Rounder and Former Pakistan Captain Shoaib Malik satisfied the Integrity Committee in the previous hearing about 90,000 pounds deposited in one of his bank accounts and presented the details of their usage as well.PCB Integrity Committee cleared Shoaib Malik and the official declaration would be made soon. He represented Pakistan in 32 Tests and 192 one-dayers. Talking to the ONLINE, Sources said that Shoaib’s inductance in the squad was conditional and it was linked with PCB’s clearance.Twenty-nine years old Shoaib Malik scored 2 centuries and 8 half-centuries in fifty four innings of 32 Tests and made 1606 runs whereas took 21 wickets giving out 1291 runs.In 192 One-Day Internationals, Shoaib Malik making 7
centuries, 31 half-centuries in 172 innings scored 5188 runs.He made 636 runs in 32 T20 matches and grabbed 14 wickets. It is to be kept in mind that Shoaib Malik represented Pakistan in Test during England Series the previous year’s August whereas he was dropped from the one-dayer squad for Asia Cup played in Sri Lanka in June 2010. Meanwhile, Danish Kaneria, the Pakistan legspinner, will have to wait at least another month to gain clearance to play for Pakistan. The Sindh High Court has adjourned his case against the PCB until September 27 after the board asked Kaneria to produce tapes of the police inquiry he faced in the UK. Kaneria had been questioned in a case involving spot-fixing allegations during a Pro40 match for his county Essex.During the previous hearing of the case, on July 26, Kaneria had been asked to produce transcripts of the investigation on August 18. According to PCB lawyer Taffazul Rizvi, Kaneria’s lawyers admitted tapes of the questioning exist and those will now be produced before the court.“For the first time Kaneria’s counsel has accepted that the tapes exist but they have not submitted these before the court; so we have to contact our lawyer in England and try to bring those tapes here,” Rizvi told AFP.Though Kaneria was not charged in the spot-fixing case, in which his Essex team-mate Mervyn Westfield faced criminal proceedings, he has not been cleared to play for Pakistan since the incident. He provided the PCB’s integrity committee with various financial records and documents, including a letter from Essex that confirmed he was not charged with any wrongdoing in England. Having failed to satisfy the committee, he filed a petition at the Sindh High Court on July 2.Kaneria will now have to wait to obtain the tapes of his questioning, which his lawyer Mohammad Farogh Naseem said were in the UK with Kaneria’s British lawyer Steve Haurigan.The integrity committee had asked Kaneria to produce transcripts of the investigation before the case began but his lawyers had maintained it was not possible as the transcripts were still part of an ongoing investigation in the UK.Kaneria met the PCB’s integrity committee again, though there was no clear result from that meeting. He now has no hopes of playing in Zimbabwe. With 261 wickets, he is Pakistan’s most-prolific spinner in Tests, but has not played one for nearly a year.“I am doing my best to clear my name but with the adjournment I have lost my chance to play against Zimbabwe next month,” Kaneria told AFP. “I have not lost heart and will do everything to revive my career.”—Agencies
pakobserver.net

PCB to deny Malik fresh central contract

2011-07-20T16:55:00.000+05:30

LAHORE: Pakistan's former captain, Shoaib Malik has been ruled out of contention to get a central contract from the Pakistan Cricket Board as he has still not been able to satisfy the integrity committee about an amount of 90,000 pounds in his account.

Sources in the board said that Malik, Danish Kaneria, Kamran Akmal and Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Akhtar who had announced their retirements were out of contention for getting a central contract.

"In Malik's case he has provided everything that was asked for by the integrity committee of the board except for the questions surrounding the fate of the 90,000 pounds," one source said.

The source said that the amount was found in one of Malik's accounts backdated but than went missing in the latest bank statement he submitted to the board.

"The integrity committee asked him to explain where he had spent the amount but so far he has been unable to give a satisfactory reply to them," the source said.

"Malik has told the committee that he gave loans to some of his friends but was unable to give details of the persons he had given the amount to leaving the committee members not satisfied with his response," the source said.

Another source aware of the details confirmed that during his appearances before the integrity committee, it was also found that an Indian had worked for as Malik's agent for a while and was investigated.

"The present situation is that Malik is clear in every regard except for the unanswered questions about how the 90,000 pounds were spent and where," the source said.

The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board in a recent interview had said that once Malik cleared this issue he could walk into the Pakistan team.

Ijaz Butt had noted that given his performance at the domestic level and his outstanding record in one-day internationals, the Pakistan team needed an allrounder of Malik's caliber in the team.

"I have myself spoken to him and given him brotherly advice that he should just satisfy the integrity committee about this issue and he is clear to play for Pakistan," Butt had said.

Malik last played for Pakistan on the England tour last year but since than has been ignored for selection and was also not considered for the World Cup because of his issues with the integrity committee.

The PCB is due to announce fresh central contracts by next month for the second half of the year.

Super Eight T20 to start from June 24‎

2011-06-19T22:29:00.000+05:30

LAHORE - Pakistan's most popular Faysal Bank Super Eight Twenty20 Cup 2010-2011 will be held at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad from June 24 to July 1, Pakistan Cricket Board announced here on Friday.
The tournament is being staged for first time in Faisalabad with day-night matches. The teams are divided into two groups. In group ‘A’, teams are Lahore Lions, Sialkot Stallions, Islamabad Leopards and Hyderabad Hawks while Faisalabad Wolves, Rawalpindi Rams, Karachi Dolphins and the Multan Tigers are drawn in group ‘B’.
The first and second semi-final will be held on June 30 followed by the final on July 1, 2011. Faisalabad Wolves will clash with Multan Tigers in the opening match of the competition. Lucrative prize money will be on offer with winners earning Rs 2.5 million while runners-up grabbing Rs one million.
Commenting on the event, COO PCB Subhan Ahmad said: "The partnership between PCB and Faysal Bank will go a long way in improving the standard of domestic cricket in the country. The PCB has a resolve to assure that people can watch the stars playing live in absence of international cricket in Pakistan. To spread out on this, Faisalabad was chosen as the venue for this big event," he said.
"Our partnership with Faysal Bank seeks to further strengthen the domestic game in line with our vision of providing opportunities at the grassroots level". "Sponsoring domestic cricket is one way in which Faysal Bank wants to contribute back to society. We got an overwhelming response in the last Faysal Bank Twenty20 and are anticipating an even better response from Faisalabad." Head Retail Faysal Bank Aarij Ali reiterated the banks commitment to cricket. Two matches will be played every day starting at 5 pm and 9 pm respectively.
Sialkot Stallions remain the team to beat as they are the most successful domestic T20 side of Pakistan with five titles to their credit out of the total.
sialkot stallions squad

1. Imran Nazir
2. Faisal Naved
3. Shahid Yousuf
4. Shoaib Malik
5. Mansoor Amjad
6. Ali Khan
7. Adeel Malik
8. Abdur Rehman
9. Shakeel Ansar
10. Sarmad Anwar
11. Haris Sohail
12. Naved-ul-Hasan
13. Qaiser Abbas
14. Ali Bhutta
Reserve Players
15. Prince Abbas
16. Farhan Malik
17. Mutazar Mehdi
18. Sarfraz Ahmed

Shoaib vows good show in Twenty20

2011-06-09T22:50:00.000+05:30

SIALKOT - Sialkot based former Pakistani Captain Shoaib Malik has hoped to show best performance in the coming Twenty20 national championship from Sialkot Stallions side. He stated this while talking to the newsmen here today at Jinnah Stadium Sialkot after having a practice session there.
He said that the Sialkot Stallions was favourite to win the T-20 championship, as the Sialkot Stallions in a very good nick and ready to regain National Twenty20 title.

I COULD HAVE WON THIS WORLD CUP FOR PAKISTAN: SHOAIB MALIK

2011-01-22T23:27:00.000+05:30

Pakistan’s discarded middle-order batman Shoaib Malik has admitted to the fact that he is currently passing through the toughest time of his career after he was excluded from Pakistan’s 15-member World Cup squad.

Malik, while giving an interview to a foreign radio, admitted that playing the World Cup is every player’s dream and it is very hurtful for him to admit that he would not be playing in this year’s World Cup, which is set to begin from the 19^thof February in the subcontinent.

Malik expressed sadness for being overlooked by the selection committee when he was at the peak of his form. He said, “And it becomes more disappointing when one is ignored when one is in the best form of his life. I have never been in form like this before in 11 years of my international career the way I played in the recently concluded Quaid Trophy.”

He was the second-highest scorer in the domestic Quaid-i-Azam Trophy, where in just six matches he scored 799 runs, which is impressive by all standards. The prolific batsman reiterated that he had wanted to help Pakistan win cricket’s biggest event. “Cricket is my passion. I thought I could have won this World Cup for Pakistan and that is why it is very difficult to make myself understand. But then it’s not the end of the world and cricket too. I will not leave playing cricket and try to cash in other opportunities come my way by playing domestic cricket and events outside the country.”

According to reports, the batsman failed to explain the presence of 90,000 pounds in his bank account to the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) integrity committee last month due to which the committee refused to clear his name for selection in World Cup squad. However, Malik, in his interview, rebuffed these media reports and clarified that he had given each and every detail regarding his financial assets. Talking to the radio, he said, “I have not hidden anything from the PCB integrity committee. Like in Pakistan you can’t approach any body’s bank account abroad. But I gave every detail of my Pakistani and foreign assets and bank accounts to the PCB but yet I was not selected. I won’t start firing at any one because it’s not my nature and I always try to remain away from controversies.”

The PCB had asked a certain group of players including Malik, Kamran Akmal and Danish Kaneria to disclose the details of their financial assets in a bid to scrutinize their earnings because the International Cricket Council had expressed its concern regarding the role of these players in match-fixing.

Speaking on the prospects of his national side in the 2011 World Cup, he stressed that senior players would have to take responsibility in the upcoming cricket extravaganza. “In a mega event like World Cup only seniors can take pressure of the situations and that’s why I think Pakistan should be relying on experienced players,” he said.

Sania helping 'disappointed' hubby in handling career crisis

2011-01-22T23:23:00.000+05:30

Former Pakistan cricket captain Shoaib Malik, who has been omitted from the national squad for next month’s World Cup, says his wife and Indian tennis star Sania Mirza has been very supportive during this most difficult phase of his career.

“Sania, being herself as a sports woman, knows how to face this kind of situation. She had been through some ups and down as well. I am very lucky to have Sania as my wife who is sporting and helping me at every step to handle all this,” said Malik in an exclusive interview with Deutsche Welle Urdu service.

He also said playing in the ICC World Cup is the utmost desire of every cricketer in the world.

“And it becomes more disappointing when one is ignored when one is in the best form of his life. I have never been in form like this before in 11 years of my international career the way I played in the recently concluded Quaid Trophy,” the Daily Times quoted him, as saying to the German radio broadcaster.

Shoaib Maliks assets challenged in session court

2011-01-08T20:17:00.000+05:30

A Pakistani lawyer on Saturday filed a petition seeking local court's direction to the police to register a criminal case against Test cricketer Shoaib Malik for allegedly making millions of rupees through match-fixing. In the petition filed in the court of the additional sessions Judge here, Ishtiaq Ahmed Chaudhry alleged that Malik not only made millions of rupees through match-fixing but also damaged the country's image.
Chaudhry contended that the Pakistan Cricket Board had reportedly excluded Malik from the 30 probables for the 2011 World Cup because of his alleged corruption and links with the match-fixing mafia.

He asked the court to freeze Malik's assets in Pakistan and abroad and to direct police to register a criminal case against him.

The judge issued notice to the chief of a police station in Lahore, asking him to appear before the court at the next hearing scheduled for January 14.

Malik, who has been in the news after marrying Indian tennis star Sania Mirza, was banned for a year by the PCB after allegations that he deliberately under-performed in a series in Australia last year.

The ban was lifted reportedly on the intervention of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani's son Abdul Qadir, who is a friend of Malik.

Malik refused to give the PCB details of a transaction of 90,000 pounds in his British bank account.

The PCB last week had sought details from Kamran Akmal, Danish Kanaria and Malik about their assets.

Who paid 90,000 pounds to Malik?

2011-01-06T21:40:00.002+05:30

KARACHI, Jan 4: Pakistan`s former skipper Shoaib Malik, under probe by the PCB`s integrity committee for his suspect involvement in match-fixing and other dubious activities, was not given clearance for the next month`s World Cup after he failed to explain a transaction of 90,000 pounds in his British bank account during a scrutiny of his assets and income, reliable sources said on Tuesday.

Malik, who was at the centre of some nasty controversies in 2010 including allegations of under-performing during the tours of Australia and England and leading an ugly revolt against former captain Younis Khan, was sidelined by the PCB on the instructions of the ICC soon after the spot-fixing scam at Lord`s last August.

According to sources, the all-rounder failed to explain to the PCB committee the source of the whopping 90,000-pound transaction in his bank account in the UK and could only come up with a reply that he had no clue whatsoever where the money had come from.

Besides, the submitted details of his income as well as his assets carried various discrepancies which raised doubts about his suspect activities on and off the field and compelled the PCB integrity committee to hold his name back as the selectors named 30 probables for the World Cup.

The experienced all-rounder, who got married to celebrated Indian tennis star Sania Mirza last year, was also dished out a one-year ban by the PCB in March 2010 for his undisciplined conduct on the tour Down Under in 2009-10. However, the ban was abruptly lifted just a few weeks later with reports of intervention from the country`s top official splashed in the press.—Agencies

It’s not the end of the world

2011-01-06T21:36:00.000+05:30

LAHORE: Disappointed after being overlooked for the World Cup, former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik said that “it’s not the end of the world” and he still has seven to eight years of cricket left in him.
Malik was not considered for the 30-man World Cup squad that was announced on Tuesday alongside leg-spinner Danish Kaneria.
“I’m deeply disappointed after the exclusion from the preliminarily squad,” Malik told reporters. “Every player dreams to represent the country in the World Cup and I was also looking forward to it. I really wanted to help my team win the tournament and my form in the ongoing Quaid-i-Azam Trophy has been very good.”
Malik has scored 725 runs in the tournament in just seven innings of four matches including four centuries and two fifties. The former captain, who was dropped after the England tour, was one of three players being questioned by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Integrity Committee (IC) along with Kaneria and wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal. The three players were also asked to submit details of their assets and bank account to the board.
“What is strange is that neither the PCB nor the national selectors have given any reason for ignoring me and in fact the board’s press release said nothing against me,” said Malik.
The PCB had delayed naming the World Cup squad due to the three players’ clearance issue and while Malik claimed he did everything the PCB asked him, the IC did not give him the green signal.
Malik was reportedly under the International Cricket Council (ICC) scanner over suspicions of match-fixing. The Express Tribune, however, understands that the former captain was not included because of his failure to explain a bank transaction to the IC.
“I think I cleared up everything but I don’t want to comment any further. I want to play my cricket and perform. The rest is upto the selectors.
“I’m certainly disappointed but instead I’ll take the opportunity to play domestic tournaments and wherever cricket is being played in the world. Cricket is my bread and butter and I don’t want to muddle up myself in any controversy.”
Malik, who led Pakistan between 2007 and 2009, also clarified that he had no disputes with any player or the PCB. “I don’t have any differences with any one. I’ve been playing for quite a long time and under various cricket boards so I don’t want to go against any one and disrupt my ongoing form.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 6th, 2011.

Shoaib Malik,Kamran Akmal doubtful for Pakistani World Cup squad

2011-01-02T21:05:00.000+05:30

Karachi, Jan 2 (IANS) Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik and wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal have so far been unable to obtain a clean chit from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and remain doubtful to feature in the World Cup squad.

The duo has failed to provide convincing answers to queries by PCB's integrity committee, well-placed sources were quoted as saying in The News Sunday.

'There is information available to the integrity committee that Malik received 90,000 British pounds in one of his bank accounts,' said a source. 'When questioned by the integrity committee, Malik expressed complete ignorance about the amount which was transferred to his bank account in the UK,' he added, stressing that the committee told the all-rounder that he will have to explain from where and why such a big amount was transferred to his account.

Kamran, too, has been unable to explain certain transactions made to his bank account in Dubai.

Early next week, Pakistan's cricket chiefs will decide whether to clear the duo for national duty. Also awaiting a decision on the issue by the PCB is legspinner Danish Kaneria. But unlike Malik and Kamran, Kaneria won't really be able to make the cut the squad even if he is cleared to play for the country.

There are no formal charges against the three players but unofficially it's confirmed that all of them are match-fixing suspects and need to prove their innocence to obtain clearance for national duty.

The three players were summoned by the integrity committee at the PCB headquarters in Lahore Thursday and Friday but in spite of marathon meetings, the Board was unable to decide their case. A decision, however, is expected Tuesday when the national selectors will meet to decide Pakistan's preliminary World Cup squad and the One-day team for the series against New Zealand.

Shoaib malik's simplicity impressed me a lot: Sania mirza

2010-12-19T20:20:00.000+05:30

Islamabad: The best-known Indian 'bahu' in Pakistan, Sania Mirza, can't thank her stars enough for finding her "dream prince" in cricketer Shoaib Malik.

Nine months into her marriage, India's tennis sensation, who broke many a heart when she decided to marry Shoaib, considers herself the "luckiest girl on earth".

Sania can't stop raving about Shoaib.

"The simplicity of Shoaib had impressed me a lot. Today he is the same person as he was before marrying me," Sania told 'The News' shortly after winning her first tennis match in Dubai.

Shoaib was present to cheer her on, she said.

"In practical life I have got my prince of dreams," Sania said.

"I have married a great person who is also a great cricketer and it had also brought two countries closer. It is in fact a marriage of two civilizations."

Sania said she was happy with life and it has been smooth sailing for the couple.

She said they were both professionals who understood each other's requirements and that "God Almighty had made us an ideal couple".

She insisted that she would retain her Indian nationality.

"I have been playing and have no plans to retire from tennis. I wish to grab a gold for India in the London Olympics," she said.

Sania admitted that priorities change after marriage but the secret to a successful marriage lie in mutual understanding and confidence.

Sania also requested Shoaib's fans to pray for his return to the Pakistan cricket team, adding that she was aware of her husband's many female fans and that she wasn't jealous as he was her husband!

Shoaib Malik ignored for the Kiwi tour because of Super Sixes final ?

2010-12-02T22:46:00.000+05:30

Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik being ignored for the New Zealand tour could be a result of the team's unlikely loss in the Super Sixes Tournament final in Hong Kong under his captaincy last month.

Sources said Malik, who was ignored by the selectors on Tuesday for the New Zealand tour despite his terrific form in domestic cricket, may have been sidelined because of the Hong Kong tournament.

"Malik was captain and in the final opponents Australia required 48 runs in the final over to win the match. Imran Nazir, a part time bowler, was given the ball and incredibly even in the super sixes format he conceded 48 runs bowling a number of wides and no-balls in the decisive over," one source said.

He said the final over had raised eyebrows in the Pakistan Cricket Board and given Malik's disciplinary record, the selectors decided to play it safe.

"If a player has scored three big hundreds in succession in domestic cricket he is always a serious contender but in Malik's case his ouster may also be linked to non-cricketing reasons," the source said.

Malik himself told the media that he was extremely disappointed at not making the team.

"What more do I have to do to prove myself. I have scored nearly 580 runs in five innings with three centuries and I have taken 14 wickets for PIA in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and if this not enough to win me a place back in the team I don't know what is," Malik said.

"If the selectors are not considering me when I am in prime form then I think I am within my right to at least ask them to tell me on what grounds I have not been picked in the touring squad," Malik said.
(PTI)

'Teach my husband a few romantic lines'

2010-11-27T11:45:00.002+05:30

Tennis star Sania Mirza insisted that Shah Rukh teach her shy husband Shoaib Malik some romantic lines at the recent Sahara sports award function.

"Shah Rukh's strength is the way he talks and he also romances in a very charming way in his films.
So, I asked him to share some tips with Shoaib and teach him a few romantic lines so he would talk more. It was all done in good humour and Shah Rukh was pulling our leg all through the act," said Sania.

Shah Rukh also made Sania and Shoaib shake a leg with him at the function.

SRK's rapid fire

An eyewitness present at the awards function said that for the first time after their wedding, Sania and Shoaib were seen together at an awards function.

"Shah Rukh, known for his sense of humour, was anchoring the show with Sania. In an impromptu question and answer session, SRK asked Sania about their marriage, romance and kids," he said.

SRK also tried to get Sania and Shoaib's love story out of Shoaib's mouth but Shoaib refused to divulge any details.

"All Shoaib said was that theirs was an ideal example of 'love at first sight' where he proposed to Sania and she instantly agreed," said the eyewitness.

Sania said that Shoaib talks very little and believes that true love doesn't need any expression.

Romantic lessons

Shah Rukh called Shoaib on stage and asked him to repeat some romantic dialogues as Sania had insisted.

"I have known Shah Rukh from a long time. Both Shoaib and I watch his films. The three of us danced on a song from Veer Zaara," said Sania.

She said that the Sahara India Sports Awards was a whole new experience for her. "This is the first time I hosted a sports awards and it was great fun.

There was an act where I had to hit a tennis ball with a cricket bat in Shoaib's direction as he was sitting there.

A day before the show, during the rehearsals, the act wasn't coming out well and I thought that I might make a fool of myself at the show, but luckily, I managed to pull it off and everything went smoothly."

Malik hits back at Pak Asian Games delegation

2010-11-24T19:39:00.000+05:30

Image via Wikipedia

KARACHI: Former cricket captain Shoaib Malik on Tuesday reacted angrily to reports that his presence at the Guangzhou Asian Games athletes' village has surprised Pakistan officials there as he was not part of their contingent.

"I think if anyone should be concerned about my presence in the village it should be the Indian delegation. I don't know what problem the Pakistani delegation had with my being in the village," Malik said.

Pakistan contingent members had on Sunday said that Malik was not issued any visitor's card by them nor had he applied for any accreditation on their behalf.

Malik said he had gone to China to join his wife, Indian tennis star Sania Mirza during Eid holidays as he got a week long break in the ongoing Quaid-e-Azam Trophy domestic tournament.

"I got proper access and entry into the village through my wife and was given accreditation. I stayed with her in the village.

"I came back immediately after the holidays and playing again for my department. Obviously spending time with my wife and concentrating on my cricket career are both important for me," the cricketer said.

Malik said he himself was a former cricket captain and national player and the members of the Pakistan delegation should be careful while making statements about him.

"I take offence to what has been reported in the press. It looked as if I was there without permission and had no business being there."

Since getting married to Sania earlier this year, Malik has spent lot of time travelling to India to be with his wife and in-laws and has also frequently joined her in other countries where she has been playing in the international events.

"We are both professional athletes and obviously want to spend some quality time together. I like to be with her when she is playing in any event abroad," he said.

Spotted in Guangzhou: Shoaib Malik

2010-11-20T15:35:00.000+05:30

The News International
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Malik’s conspicuous presence at the Guangzhou Asian Games athletes’ village surprised the Pakistan contingent as the country’s national Olympic committee has denied issuing him any accreditation card — a prerequisite for his stay.
Days before Eid-ul-Azha, Shoaib was spotted regularly in the athletes’ village where he kept on dinning and passing time.
Only those athletes are allowed to stay at the Games village who are representing their respective countries or have been issued special passes by the Olympic committee.
When the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) official was approached in Guangzhou, he denied having given any accreditation card to Shoaib Malik.
“When we spotted Shoaib Malik in the Asian Games village, we were also surprised as being a Pakistani; he should have contacted us for issuing him a necessary card to visit the Village. It is not clear whether he is staying in the Village or whether he turns up every day to meet his wife,” the official said.
He pointed out they had also noticed the former cricket captain turning up either earlier or late for dining, probably in a bid to avoid being seen by Pakistani sportsmen.
Sania Mirza, Shoaib’s wife, is representing India in the Games’ tennis event. She is one of the favourites to win ladies single title.
The POA official confirmed that the cricketer was seen regularly at the Games Village and that cannot be possible without staying there. “We have no idea how he manages to spend so much time in the village,” he said. “He must be having accreditation card and that is the reason why he is here. However, the POA has nothing to do with his accreditation,” he said.
It is still not clear whether or not Malik returned to Pakistan to celebrate Eid or is still in the Games village in China.
Meanwhile on Thursday, Sania Mirza dedicated her opening Asian Games win to husband, and former Pakistan captain, Shoaib Malik.
Sania, whose ranking has slumped to 166 following a series of injuries, needed just under an hour to clinch a 6-1, 6-0 win, showing no signs of the illness which forced her to skip the women’s team event. “My husband came here today, that made me very confident and I felt good.”

Sania Mirza praises husband Shoaib for victory

2010-11-20T15:19:00.000+05:30

GUANGZHOU ( China): Sania Mirza dedicated her opening Asian Games win to husband, and former Pakistan cricket captain, Shoaib Malik on Thursday as the Indian golden girl romped past Hong Kong's Chan Wing Yau.

Mirza, whose ranking has slumped to 166 following a series of injuries, needed just under an hour to clinch a 6-1, 6-0 win, showing no signs of the illness which forced her to skip the women's team event.

"I didn't feel well in the last two weeks," said the 24-year-old, who captured a gold and two silvers at the 2006 Doha Asian Games.

"I was absent from the team event, but now I feel much better.

"My husband came here today, that made me very confident and I felt good."

Mirza next tackles Chinese sixth seed Zhang Shuai who needed just 33 minutes to defeat roly-poly Nepalese Malika Rana in an embarrassing mismatch.

Zhang, the world 91, enjoyed six breaks of serve and hit 30 winners to her opponent's two.

The Nepalese player won just nine points in the entire match.

"Sania is a very strong opponent and we respect her," said Zhang, who defeated Mirza at the Guangzhou Open in the same Aoti Tennis Centre courts this season.

Women's top seed Kimiko Date Krumm, the oldest player in the draw at 40, opens her campaign on Friday, 16 years after she won gold at the 1994 Asian Games in Hiroshima.

Read more: Sania Mirza praises husband Shoaib for victory - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/16th-asian-games-2010/india-news/Sania-Mirza-praises-husband-Shoaib-for-victory/articleshow/6946192.cms#ixzz15oZIF200

Waqar, Afridi disagree on Malik's omission

2010-08-27T22:28:00.000+05:30

Karachi: Trouble is brewing in the Pakistan cricket team as coach Waqar Younis is reportedly at loggerheads with ODI and Twenty20 captain Shahid Afridi and chief selector Mohsin Khan over the omission of Shoaib Malik and Umar Amin from the squad for the one-day series in England.
Reliable sources told PTI that Waqar wanted Malik and Amin to be retained in the one-day squad and had disagreed with Mohsin and Afridi when they consulted him on phone while finalising the squad on Wednesday.
"Waqar felt that Pakistan needed Malik's experience for the one-day series and he would get back into form soon. While he also believes that Umar Amin is a great talent for the future and must be given confidence," one source said.
Malik played in three Tests in England and failed in them while Amin too came a cropper.
Both were dropped from the one-day squad by the selectors owing to poor form.

Afridi also said it was time for Pakistan to start preparing a nucleus of players for the 2011 World Cup.
The source said the chief selector had also questioned the need to have rookie left-arm spinner Reza Hasan for the Test matches when Pakistan had been playing the experienced spinner Abdul Rehman.
Incidentally, Pakistan's former coach Mudassar Nazar has also come out in favor of having Malik in the team despite the all-rounder's recent poor form.
Mudassar told a cricket website that Malik's omission came as a surprise to him.
"Shoaib Malik's omission has been rather surprising and is not justified. He has been a good one day player and should have been in the squad," he said.

Malik’s omission from One Day Squad is unjustified: Mudassar Nazar

2010-08-25T21:46:00.000+05:30

LONDON, Aug 25 (APP)- Former captain and coach Mudassar Nazar has questioned the omission of Shoaib Malik from Pakistan’s five ODI matches and two T20 games against England next month.He told the UK-based website PakPassion.net: “Shoaib Malik’s omission has been rather surprising and is not justified. He has been a good one day player and should have been in the squad.”
Mudassar further added, “The selection of Mohammad Hafeez is surprising. He has not done well whenever he’s been give an opportunity. I think he’s been selected just because Malik is not in the squad and Pakistan want to a play a batsman who can also bowl 10 overs.”

Further elaborating on the make-up of Pakistan’s ODI and T20 squad, Mudassar was elated at the recall of Fawad Alam who has been a consistent performer at first class level makes his way to the national side after being overlooked for the Test series against Australia and England.
“I’m happy to see Fawad back in the squad. He’s a very good batsmen and an excellent fielder. If given a suitable opportunity, he can bowl some good overs as well. Pakistan should utilize all his talents. In my opinion, he should have been in the Test team as well.”
Mudassar was also satisfied with the inclusion of Azhar Ali, considered by many to be a Test specialist, in the ODI and T20 squad.
According to Mudassar, “Azhar has performed well. He has some technical deficiencies outside his off stump but he’ll improve with time. All the new Pakistani batsmen have this problem when playing in England. It will be tough to play even 50 overs in difficult English conditions and Pakistan need someone who can occupy the crease.”
Muddassar expressed his elation and satisfaction over Pakistan’s victory at the Oval and stated. “It was good to see Pakistan winning against England in the third test. It was a great win especially with such an inexperienced and poor fielding side.”
He was quick to praise captain Salman Butt for his leadership in England and added. “Salman Butt’s performance as captain has been good. He’s managing the players well and it was good to see him welcome Yousuf back to the side. Salman’s always had good captaincy skills and proved it at the Under 17 and Under 19 levels.”

Shoaib Malik dropped for England ODI and T20 series

2010-08-24T19:49:00.000+05:30

Former captain Shoaib Malik was dropped by Pakistan on Tuesday for next month's Twenty20 and one-day internationals against England.
The 28-year-old Malik was also recently left out of Pakistan's test side after scoring just one half-century in his last six matches.

The 16-man squad included fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar and allrounder Abdul Razzaq, who were ignored for the test series against Australia and England this summer.

Shahid Afridi, who has quit as test captain, will continue to lead Pakistan in the limited-overs formats.

The selectors did not get clearance from Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ijaz Butt to consider former captain Younis Khan for the Twenty20 and ODIs against England.

"Even today I asked the chairman about Younis, but could not get clearance," Afridi told reporters.

A PCB arbitrator lifted an indefinite ban on Younis in June for alleged infighting with Mohammad Yousuf during the disastrous tour of Australia earlier this year.

Afridi said he wanted to have a nucleus of 20-22 players to prepare for next year's World Cup in the subcontinent.

Middle-order batsman Mohammad Yousuf, who made his return to international cricket in Pakistan's victory over England at The Oval in the third test last week, was also named in the squad.

Kamran Akmal is the only specialist wicketkeeper in the group as Zulqarnain Haider has not recovered from a fractured finger.

Pakistan trails 2-1 in the four-match test series against England, with Lord's hosting the final match from Thursday.

Cardiff will host both Twenty20s against England, on Sept. 5 and Sept. 7, before the five-match ODI series starts from Sept. 10.

Pakistan one-day and Twenty20 squad: Shahid Afridi (capt), Salman Butt, Shahzaib Hasan, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Yousuf, Azhar Ali, Umar Akmal, Kamran Akmal (wk), Fawad Alam, Abdul Razzaq, Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Amir, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Shoaib Akhtar, Wahab Riaz.

Shoaib Malik unlikely to get PCB central contract

2010-08-09T21:51:00.000+05:30

Karachi: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is unlikely to offer a central contract to all-rounder Shoaib Malik after his poor showing in the ongoing Test series against England.

"The selectors are unhappy with Malik's performance after he was recalled following the reversal of his ban and are not willing to recommend his name for the contract when they meet chairman Ejaz Butt later this month," a PCB official was quoted as saying by The Express Tribune Monday.

Malik along with Mohammad Yousuf, Younis Khan and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan were not given the new central contract and instead were slapped with fines and bans after the team's performance on the winless Australian tour was reviewed.
Malik and Hasan were banned for one year before the former not only had his ban overturned but was also selected for the Asia Cup, thus increasing his chances of being awarded the contract.

However, the central contracts were to be reviewed last month but with the PCB chairman travelling to England, the meeting is now scheduled to take place later this month. Butt had previously said Malik will only get the central contract after approval by the selection committee.

Malik, one of the most experienced players in the team with 31 Tests and 192 One-Day Internationals, has scored just 89 runs in three Tests in England besides making 46 from his two outings in the Asia Cup that was held in Sri Lanka.

"The selection committee is not in favour of recommending Malik's name, it is highly unlikely that the he will get the new contract until and unless he scores heavily in the remaining matches," said the official while adding that the selectors want to recommend the name of youngsters when they meet the chairman to discuss central contracts.

"The PCB and the selection committee is interested in awarding central contracts to the youngsters and that is why they have already ruled out awarding a contract to fast-bowler Shoaib Akhtar."

He, however, said the selectors are undecided on Yousuf, who joined the team in England but is yet to be seen in action.Malik and Hasan were banned for one year before the former not only had his ban overturned but was also selected for the Asia Cup, thus increasing his chances of being awarded the contract.

However, the central contracts were to be reviewed last month but with the PCB chairman travelling to England, the meeting is now scheduled to take place later this month. Butt had previously said Malik will only get the central contract after approval by the selection committee.

Malik, one of the most experienced players in the team with 31 Tests and 192 One-Day Internationals, has scored just 89 runs in three Tests in England besides making 46 from his two outings in the Asia Cup that was held in Sri Lanka.

"The selection committee is not in favour of recommending Malik's name, it is highly unlikely that the he will get the new contract until and unless he scores heavily in the remaining matches," said the official while adding that the selectors want to recommend the name of youngsters when they meet the chairman to discuss central contracts.

"The PCB and the selection committee is interested in awarding central contracts to the youngsters and that is why they have already ruled out awarding a contract to fast-bowler Shoaib Akhtar."

He, however, said the selectors are undecided on Yousuf, who joined the team in England but is yet to be seen in action.Karachi: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is unlikely to offer a central contract to all-rounder Shoaib Malik after his poor showing in the ongoing Test series against England.

"The selectors are unhappy with Malik's performance after he was recalled following the reversal of his ban and are not willing to recommend his name for the contract when they meet chairman Ejaz Butt later this month," a PCB official was quoted as saying by The Express Tribune Monday.

Malik along with Mohammad Yousuf, Younis Khan and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan were not given the new central contract and instead were slapped with fines and bans after the team's performance on the winless Australian tour was reviewed.
Malik and Hasan were banned for one year before the former not only had his ban overturned but was also selected for the Asia Cup, thus increasing his chances of being awarded the contract.

However, the central contracts were to be reviewed last month but with the PCB chairman travelling to England, the meeting is now scheduled to take place later this month. Butt had previously said Malik will only get the central contract after approval by the selection committee.

Malik, one of the most experienced players in the team with 31 Tests and 192 One-Day Internationals, has scored just 89 runs in three Tests in England besides making 46 from his two outings in the Asia Cup that was held in Sri Lanka.

"The selection committee is not in favour of recommending Malik's name, it is highly unlikely that the he will get the new contract until and unless he scores heavily in the remaining matches," said the official while adding that the selectors want to recommend the name of youngsters when they meet the chairman to discuss central contracts.

"The PCB and the selection committee is interested in awarding central contracts to the youngsters and that is why they have already ruled out awarding a contract to fast-bowler Shoaib Akhtar."

He, however, said the selectors are undecided on Yousuf, who joined the team in England but is yet to be seen in action.Malik and Hasan were banned for one year before the former not only had his ban overturned but was also selected for the Asia Cup, thus increasing his chances of being awarded the contract.

However, the central contracts were to be reviewed last month but with the PCB chairman travelling to England, the meeting is now scheduled to take place later this month. Butt had previously said Malik will only get the central contract after approval by the selection committee.

Malik, one of the most experienced players in the team with 31 Tests and 192 One-Day Internationals, has scored just 89 runs in three Tests in England besides making 46 from his two outings in the Asia Cup that was held in Sri Lanka.

"The selection committee is not in favour of recommending Malik's name, it is highly unlikely that the he will get the new contract until and unless he scores heavily in the remaining matches," said the official while adding that the selectors want to recommend the name of youngsters when they meet the chairman to discuss central contracts.

"The PCB and the selection committee is interested in awarding central contracts to the youngsters and that is why they have already ruled out awarding a contract to fast-bowler Shoaib Akhtar."

He, however, said the selectors are undecided on Yousuf, who joined the team in England but is yet to be seen in action.

Shoaib Malik Sania celebrity couple was dubbed “shonia” by the media

2010-08-08T20:34:00.001+05:30

Shonia, celebrity couple name given by the media to the Shoaib Malik and Sania Mirza. While the Shoib Malik visited India and got into the controversy of first marriage and finally married to the Sania Mirza the media started naming the sports couple as the Shonia which is mix of the Shoaib Malik and Sania Mirza.

Now the Shonia became buzzword after it being used as a question in the KBC 4 /Kaun Banega Crorepati 4. In a question when it was asked that which celebrity couple is known as the Shonia with the four option people around India searching for the Shonia or who is known as the Shonia among the Celebrity couple

The question was..

Q. Which celebrity couple was dubbed “shonia” by the media ?

A. Shilpa Shetty – Raj Kundra

B. Saif – Karena

C. Shoaib Malik – Sania Mirza

D. Salman Khan – Katrina Kaif.

Shoaib Malik glad of 'anti-Aussie' support

2010-07-20T22:55:00.000+05:30

AFP

Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik has said the support for his team in the series against Australia has come as no surprise, saying even England fans like to see Ricky Ponting's team beaten.

Pakistan were cheered on to victory in two back-to-back Twenty20 victories over Australia at Edgbaston this month by raucous fans and also attracted good support at a more sedate Lord's for last week's 150-run first Test loss.

Now they are hoping Pakistan fans in the Leeds area, which boasts one of Britain's largest Asian populations, will turn out for the second and final Test against Australia which starts at Headingley here on Wednesday.

"It's not a surprise to get so much support like we did in the two Twenty20 matches and at Lord's," Malik said at a reception hosted by the Pakistani community in nearby Bradford, north-west of Leeds.

"Even the England supporters love to see Australia beaten."

Pakistan were forced to play this 'home' series in England because of security concerns in Pakistan where international cricket was halted following an armed assault on Sri Lanka's team bus in Lahore in March last year.

The attack, which left eight people dead besides injuring seven Sri Lankan players and their assistant coach, ended all hopes of Pakistan staging any international matches in the foreseeable future.

Since then, Pakistan has played home series in New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates.

But Malik said England was an ideal "home away from home" for Pakistan.

"Considering the situation (in Pakistan) we have an ideal home in England where the conditions are excellent and the support is overwhelming. It would be ideal to play at home, but England can become our second home.

"We expect the same support at Leeds because there is a big Pakistani community living here and in the adjoining cities."

Malik, 28, was not a member of the Pakistan team that lost at Lord's but he is set to play at Headingley.

He is line to replace Shahid Afridi who led Pakistan at Lord's but then announced his retirement from Test cricket minutes after the heavy defeat.

Malik said he was confident of staging a comeback in the Test team.

"I have not played a Test for a while now, but I am eager to get back and avail the chance I get at Leeds," said Malik, who hit a fifty in his last Test against Australia at Hobart in January.

In March, he was among the seven top players who were banned and fined for disciplinary reasons by the Pakistan Cricket Board.

Malik was fined two million rupees (₨1,130,761.75 (24,000 dollars)) and banned for one year, sanctions overturned by an arbitrator on appeal.

While serving the ban, Malik married Indian tennis star Sania Mirza in April.

Malik, sacked as captain in January last year, has so far played 29 Tests, 192 one-day and 32 Twenty internationals for Pakistan.

Malik should’ve been made the captain: Geoff Lawson

2010-07-18T14:21:00.000+05:30

Published in The Express Tribune, July 18^th, 2010.

LONDON: Former Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson labelled out-of-favour former captain Shoaib Malik as the ideal and ‘obvious’ choice to lead the team instead of Salman Butt following Shahid Afridi’s decision to retire from Test cricket with immediate effect due to injury and ‘lack of Test temperament’.

Malik, who was omitted in favour of youth for the first Test at Lord’s, was first appointed captain in April 2007 following Pakistan’s first-round exit in the 50-over World Cup. However, after impressive results against minnows and poor show against potent opposition, Malik was eventually replaced by Younus Khan with his stained relationship with seniors deemed integral to his downfall.

Lawson, sacked as coach after only year-and-a-half into his two-year contract, reckoned that Malik was handed captaincy too early in the past and given that the current squad is full of youngsters, Pakistan has no choice but to rename Malik as captain.

“It might’ve been premature to name him captain then,” Lawson told The Express Tribune following Pakistan’s 150-run loss at Lord’s. “But three years on, he’s certainly capable of being captain again. To me, he’s the obvious choice. He’s well respected by the younger players and the seniors that had problems with him aren’t in the team.

“In 2007, he was a reluctant captain. He was young and wanted to concentrate on his cricket. Now he’s matured and given Pakistan’s penchant for changing captains regularly, I’d say you should give it to him and move forward.”

Malik led Pakistan in three Tests but was unable to win any of them. Of the 36 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) he captained Pakistan in, they won 24, including a record 12 consecutive wins. Malik was also incharge of the team in the inaugural World Twenty20 where Pakistan agonisingly fell short of the target in the final against India.

“Malik did a good job as captain and at that time he was learning how to lead a side. He was taking the right steps in the right direction and if he’s named as Afridi’s successor, I don’t think it’ll be a step backwards by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).”

Lawson also showed apprehension in the board’s decision to name Butt, Afridi’s deputy, as the Test captain. Butt, who scored 63 and 92 in the first Test, was lauded by Afridi in the post-match press conference but Lawson wanted the PCB not to appoint the opener as captain for the sake of his career.

“Butt’s a good choice as vice-captain but he’s years away from being a captain. I would’ve let him concentrate on his batting because he’s probably the best batsman they have right now. He has captaincy potential but throwing him in at this stage will crucify him.”

Malik dropped from first Test against Australia

2010-07-13T18:14:00.000+05:30

Pakistan has dropped former captain Shoaib Malik from its playing eleven for the first Test against Australia starting Tuesday at Lord's after the experienced all-rounder skipped a few practice sessions to be with his wife Sania Mirza.

Sources in the Pakistan team management said the officials were irked by Malik's non-serious approach in the lead to what is an important Test series for the Pakistan.

It was decided by the team management that it would be better to field rookie all-rounder Azhar Ali in the playing line-up instead of Malik for the opening Test.

Azhar is now set to make his Test debut along with another young batsman Umar Amin.

Sources said it was a difficult decision for skipper Shahid Afridi and the Pakistan team management to exclude Malik, one of the team's most senior players, from the playing eleven as Pakistan does not have many experienced players in the touring party.

However, Afridi was of the view that he would rather have youngsters giving their hundred percent in the Test instead of opting for a player like Malik, who is more interested in spending time with his wife rather than getting ready for the tough assignment.

Malik married Indian tennis star Sania earlier this year. The couple made headlines in India, Pakistan and the rest of the world. Malik, who was banned by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for one year over indiscipline, was recalled for last month's Asia Cup after an appeals tribunal cleared him of any wrongdoing.

Shoaib Malik In a Private Party Photos

2010-07-11T12:29:00.000+05:30

Shoaib Malik Leaked Private Party Pics

2010-06-15T13:42:00.000+05:30

DAMBULLA: The focus will be on the returning Pakistani stars - the maverick pacer Shoaib Akhtar and former captain Shoaib Malik - when Shahid Afridi's men take on defending champions Sri Lanka in the opening match of the Asia Cup at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

Afridi's main task will be to keep the side united. The 35-year old Akhtar, who has been out of favour for a while, will be playing his first ODI in 13 months, while Malik, who was accused of fomenting divisions in the team, will be donning national colours for the first time following his marriage with Sania Mirza.

Pakistan, otherwise an unpredictable side, should be explosive on the field this time. Besides, they have a point or two to prove as their track record in Asia Cups is unsatisfactory.

In the last nine editions, Pakistan have won only once, that too way back in 2000 in Bangladesh when they beat Sri Lanka. Hosts Sri Lanka, meanwhile, have dropped Ajantha Mendis and the veteran Sanath Jayasuriya.

Ironically, both Jayasuriya (125 off 114 balls) and Mendis (6/13) played massive roles when they played and won the last Asia Cup final match against India in Karachi.

This time, Lakan skipper Kumar Sangakkara is hoping the replacements will be equally good in the team's quest for a fifth Asia Cup title. "We are at home and so we are expected to do well. We will try and show the best possible performances in the tournament," was what Sangakkara had to say on Monday.

The conditions are in favour of the Lankans, but SLC national curator Aniruddha Polonowita feels all teams will have to be tactically smart. "It's going to be a good batting track and will assist pacers who can move the ball," he said.

Shoaib Malik vows to be a team-man

2010-06-06T11:59:00.001+05:30

KARACHI: Considered a 'negative influence' on the Pakistan team not so long ago, all-rounder Shoaib Malik has vowed to dispel apprehension about his attitude during this month's Asia Cup and the Test tour of England after that.

Malik was surprisingly picked in the Asia Cup squad on Thursday just a few days after the appeal's judge of the Pakistan Cricket Board removed a one-year ban on him.

"I know I can still give a lot to the team and I have assured the board and the captain and coach that I will give them full support and be part of their plans for the team," Malik said.

"I aim to make my presence felt with my performances and with my behaviour. I also want to put the controversies and incidents of the past behind me and play a more positive role in the team," he added.

The ban on Malik was imposed in March after an inquiry committee that probed into the team's poor performances in Australia early this year found that Malik was responsible for creating disharmony in the team.

It also emerged during the inquiry committee proceedings that the manager and coach during the tours to New Zealand and Australia had wanted to send Malik back because of his 'negative' presence in the touring squad but were convinced by former captain Mohammad Yousuf not to do this.

Yousuf, current captain Shahid Afridi and the manager and coach spoke very negatively about Malik and described him as a negative character.

Well placed sources said that Afridi was initially not in favour of having Malik in his team even after the lifting of the ban.

But a common friend convinced Afridi to give Malik another chance to revive his career.

"Afridi has been told that Malik will cooperate with him all the way and transform himself into a complete team man," one source said.

Afridi, who has backed Malik's inclusion in the 15-man touring party, said he believes the former captain has learnt his lessons after getting slapped with a one-year ban.

He rejected the impression that Malik was picked for the Asia Cup because of pressure from various influential quarters.

"I don't take any pressure from anyone. The thing is that Shoaib Malik is a talented cricketer and there is no doubt about it. The team needs him. But I've told him clearly that 'I'm supporting you and I need your support for the sake of the team'," said Afridi.

"Malik has assured me of his complete support. He sounded really serious about making a successful international return and wants to help me in my efforts to put the team back on track," he added.

Malik selection after he assured Afridi to transform himself

2010-06-04T16:22:00.000+05:30

sify.com
Karachi: Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik managed to come back for this month's Asia Cup Thursday after assuring current skipper Shahid Afridi that he would completely transform himself into a 'team man' and will always give his best for the team.

Afridi told 'The News' Friday that he believes that the former captain has learnt his lessons after getting slapped by a one-year ban and is now ready to play the role of a senior for the sake of Pakistan cricket.

He rejected reports that Malik was picked for the Asia Cup because of pressure from various influential quarters.

"I don't take any pressure from anyone. Shoaib Malik is a talented cricketer and there is no doubt about it. The team needs him. But I've told him clearly that 'I'm supporting you and I need your support for the sake of the team'," said Afridi.

"Malik has assured me of his complete support. He was serious about making a successful international return and wants to help me in my efforts to put the team back on track."

Malik was banned by the PCB for one year in March after he was found guilty of indiscipline during the disastrous tour of Australia where Pakistan lost all their matches. He was also accused of hatching conspiracies against former captains Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf.

However, a one-man appeal tribunal lifted the ban which allowed national selectors to pick him for the Asia Cup to be played in the central Sri Lankan city of Dambulla from June 15-24. It is believed that Afridi was against the idea of Malik returning for the Asia Cup but the skipper said that he has no personal grudge against any one.

"I have no personal grudges against anybody including Malik. The thing is that I just want players who can contribute towards the team cause. I want to raise our performance graph and that can only happen through a team effort."

Afridi, 30, rejected the impression that ageing fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar was selected in the Sri Lanka-bound team even after failing a fitness test.

"Who said he (Akhtar) failed the fitness test? We have received reports from experts that he is fully fit after which we have decided to recall him," said Afridi.

Afridi said that Akhtar can add firepower to Pakistan's bowling arsenal.

"It's true that Shoaib has been out of action for some time but I'm sure that he still has a lot of cricket left in him. We can field him in our big matches which means he will get enough time to recover and maintain his form and fitness. I'm happy that he is back."

Afridi played down the selectors' decision to drop young allrounder Fawad Alam, who is thought to be one of the captain's favourites.

"Fawad Alam will come back. We have a lot of cricket after the Asia Cup. He just needs to prove himself which I'm sure he would do because he is a good cricketer," he said.

Afridi said the team will work hard during a brief preparatory camp that will begin in Lahore from Saturday).

"We don't have many days to get ready for the Asia Cup which means that a lot of hard work will be needed from the boys over the next week or so," he said.

Afridi backs Shoaib, Malik to come good

2010-06-02T18:39:00.000+05:30

LAHORE: A day before their appearance in the physical fitness tests for selection of the Asia Cup and England tour squads, maverick fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar and all-rounder Shoaib Malik received moral support from Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi who backed them to come good here on Tuesday.

Talking to reporters, Afridi said that as Shoaib Akhtar had performed well in domestic cricket, he could be utilised in the shorter version of the games — the one-dayers and the T20 contests.

About Malik, Afridi expressed hope that the all-rounder would now only focus on cricket after getting relief from the PCB. “As Shoaib Akhtar is returning to the side after performing well in domestic cricket, he will adjust to international cricket easily and can be used for T20 and one-day matches,” he said.

“As for Malik, I had told him on his face what I later told the PCB inquiry committee. But it is now in the past and I believe Malik will focus on his game,” said Afridi candidly.

Both Shoaib and Malik will appear before the PCB medical board and the selection committee to prove their match-fitness here on Wednesday.

Afridi said the team would miss pacer Umar Gul, who is struggling to recover from a shoulder injury. “Gul will also attend the training camp with the national team in Lahore from June 5. He will be available in England after the Asia Cup,” the skipper added.

Afridi reiterated that as captain his priority was to inject fighting spirit and unity in the team and if he succeeded in that mission he would consider himself a successful captain.

He, however, lamented that the advantage of leading the team at home could not come his way due to the prevailing security situation in the country. “A home series provides any skipper and team a better chance of winning matches and to improve its ranking. But unfortunately it is not the case with me.”

Shoaib Malik to undergo fitness test

2010-06-02T18:35:00.000+05:30

Lahore: Maverick Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar and former captain Shoaib Malik will have to pass through a fitness test on Wednesday to be considered for selection for the forthcoming Asia Cup in Sri Lanka and the subsequent tour to England.
Pakistan's assistant coach Ejaz Ahmed said the duo had to undergo fitness tests as they had not played international cricket for a while now.
"The selectors want to be sure about their fitness because we have some hard series coming up," the former Test batsman said.

Shoaib has not played for Pakistan since May, 2009 due to disciplinary and fitness problems while only last week, the appellate judge of PCB lifted the one-year ban on Malik.
Ejaz, however, said pacer Umar Gul, who also had missed the Twenty20 World Cup in the West Indies due to a shoulder injury, would not be undergoing any fitness test as he was not in the reckoning for the Asia Cup starting June 12.
"Gul is still recovering from his shoulder injury and we don't want to risk him now. His presence will be important for the England tour where we play six Tests," he said.
Ejaz said on the personal front he would like to see more youngsters in Asia Cup squad as it will help in building up a strong pool of reserve players.
"We need to give some of the talented youngsters more exposure and the Asia Cup is a good start," he said.
Pakistan is due to announce the Asia Cup squad on Thursday after having already named 35 probables for the twin tours, including England tour.
Ejaz also agreed that Pakistan needed to improve its fielding standards to match the rest of the teams.
"Our players need to work much harder individually on their fielding," he said.

PCB lifts ban on Shoaib Malik

2010-05-29T16:01:00.001+05:30

Pakistan Cricket Board's appeal tribunal Saturday lifted the one-year ban on former captain Shoaib Malik.

Malik's lawyer told the media that the one-man tribunal partially accepted his client's appeal and that Malik's ban was lifted and his fine of Rs.2 million halved. The decision was taken by Irfan Qadir, a retired judge, during a hearing in Lahore Saturday.
"I was shocked when they imposed the ban and it was not acceptable to me. But I am happy that I have been vindicated now," Malik told a local news channel.
"I am delighted this stigma of a ban has been removed from my name,"
The board imposed 12-month bans and fines on Malik and all rounder Rana Naved as well as indefinite suspensions on former captains Younus Khan and Muhammad Yousuf.

Current skipper Shahid Afridi and wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal were each fined three million rupees and Umar Akmal two million.

All the players with the exception of Yousuf, who announced his retirement from international cricket, have appealed against their bans and fines.

National selectors included Malik and Younus in a list of 35 probables for the Asia Cup one-day tournament and test tour to England with the final squads due to announced on June 2.

Shoaib Malik's appeal against ban adjourned

2010-05-23T21:18:00.000+05:30

Pakistan's former cricket captain Shoaib Malik's appeal against one-year ban and hefty fine has been adjourned until next week by a retired judge.

"Malik's lawyer completed his arguments and the lawyer for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) wanted time for some legal matters so the appeal has been adjourned for May 29," Irfan Qadir, the one-man arbitrator, said.

Rana Navedul Hasan appeal was adjourned until June 19 after his lawyer filed two more appeals and wanted to know constitutional points about the inquiry, Qadir said.

Former captain Younus Khan's appeal has already been adjourned for May 29, the Daily Times reports.

The PCB banned Malik and Naved for one year on charges of indiscipline during Pakistan's disastrous tour of Australia.

Both were also fined Rs two million. Younus and another former captain, Mohammad Yousuf, were banned indefinitely as a "result of infighting in the team".

Pakistan's Twenty20 captain Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal and Umar Akmal were heavily fined and kept on a six-month probation.

The penalties followed an investigation into Pakistan's tour of Australia, where they lost all three Tests, five one-day and a Twenty20 international. Except Yousuf, who retired in protest, all six players appealed.

Appeals by Afridi, Kamran and Umar will be heard later. (ANI)

Shoaib Malik joins Lancashire for Twenty20

2010-05-11T20:40:00.000+05:30

Lancashire have confirmed the former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik will play for the county in this season's Friends Provident Twenty20 competition.

Malik, 28, is without international commitments as he is serving a 12-month ban issued by the Pakistan Cricket Board after being accused of disrupting team morale during the tour of Australia.

An appeal is ongoing but Malik will instead focus his efforts on helping the Lightning, with his debut likely to come on 4 June against Durham. He will join incoming overseas duo Simon Katich and Shivnarine Chanderpaul at Old Trafford, while the South Africa international Ashwell Prince departs at the end of May.

Malik said: "When Lancashire approached me to come and play for them I didn't hesitate in saying yes.

"I love playing cricket in England and the opportunity to play with a club of Lancashire's reputation was too good to pass up. Their recent overseas signings in Katich and Chanderpaul only add to an already strong list. I'm very excited and look forward to a strong T20 campaign."

Lancashire coach Peter Moores added: "Shoaib has a proven track record in the game and is a versatile cricketer. He's at a good age, can bat up and down the order and is an experienced spin bowler. We look forward to welcoming him to the squad."

Malik's arrival is subject to visa regulations and the approval of the Pakistan Cricket Board.

Shoaib-Sania back in Hyderabad, new controversy

2010-05-07T19:51:00.000+05:30

It seems the newly wed pair of Sania Mirza and Shoaib Malik is up for a tough time once again. Controversies have followed the two wherever they have been, even before they got married and there seems to be no respite even now. Less than a month after their wedding, the couple is back in Hyderabad and their homecoming, like their wedding, is causing controversy.

Sania Mirza has hit the court straightaway and was seen practicing at Hyderabad's Lal Bahadur Stadium with her hubby Shoaib and dad Imran watching her from the sidelines. But Shoaib Malik's appearance at Hyderabad's Gymkhana grounds for a practice session provoked some angry remarks. "How can they allow a player who was banned to come here and play with the boys. After all we don't allow our own banned players either", said some of the locals.

The Hyderabad Cricket Association was not available for comment but the criticism would certainly not be music to the ears of the newly wed couple.

Sania Mirza & Shoaib Malik @ Miss India 2010 contest

2010-05-01T13:19:00.001+05:30

Sania Mirza & Shoaib Malik @ Miss India 2010 contest

Marriage festivities over, now focus is on cricket: Shoaib Malik

2010-04-30T19:20:00.000+05:30

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Malik has said that with festivities of his wedding with Indian tennis star over, he would now concentrate on his cricket.
Shoaib, who is currently in India, said he is eagerly waiting to hear from the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) inquiry committee on the ban imposed on him, so that he can start planning his comeback.

Shoaib said his bride Sania was overwhelmed by the reception received in Pakistan and greatly enjoyed the stay in the country.

He said there is complete understanding between him and his wife, and hoped that both would get along well in the future.

Sania Mirza reception photos. Walima in Lahore photos

2010-04-29T01:59:00.000+05:30

shoaib malik sania mirza walima photos

shoaib malik sania mirza

shoaib malik sania mirza walima photos

Shoaib Malik confident of removal of PCB ban

2010-04-28T00:05:00.000+05:30

Desperate to wear Pakistan colours again, former captain Shoaib Malik on Tuesday said he is confident that the 12-month ban imposed on him by the Cricket Board (PCB) will be removed by the appeals judge.

Malik said since he had done nothing wrong in his career, he was not under any kind of pressure.

"I have filed an appeal against the ban and I am confident the appeals judge will remove it and I can resume playing international cricket soon," Malik said.

"I wouldn't say being under a ban is the worst phase of my life. Infact, I got married during this period. Obviously, I want to resume playing international cricket soon because that is my profession and I am sure the appeal will be dealt with properly," he said.

The appeals judge Irfan Qadir has set Friday as the day to begin hearings into the appeals of the cricketers who have appraoched court against the PCB bans.

Legal advisor to PCB Tafazzul Rizvi said that three players, Malik, another former skipper Younis Khan and pacer Rana Naved were expected to appear in person or be represented by their legal advisor at Friday's hearing.

"Justice Qadir had earlier set Saturday as the hearing date but since it is a public holiday he has brought the date forward to April 30," Rizvi said.

Three of the other cricketers who have filed appeals, Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal and Umar Akmal are presently in the West Indies with the Twenty20 World Cup squad and judge Qadir said they have to appear in person to defend themselves when they return home.

"In the meantime, I will try to dispose off the appeals of the players available in Pakistan and hear them out properly," he said.

The PCB had also banned senior batsman Mohammad Yousuf for an indefnite period but he preferred to take retirement from international cricket instead of lodging an appeal.

Walima ceremony ends early

2010-04-27T23:07:00.000+05:30

LAHORE: The walima ceremony of Shoaib Malik and Sania Mirza ended early here on Tuesday after overcrowding created some mismanagement during the party.

The couple and their relatives left the hall soon after the mishap.

Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, Syed Abdul Qadir Gilani, the son of Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, Governor Punjab Salman Taseer attended the party.

Earlier, smiling bride and the happy groom made their way into the reception hall.

Sania was wearing sea-green sharara while Shoaib was in black suit. Guests came in large number to the reception.

The walima hall was tastefully decorated as roses and other flowers were used in abundance in decoration of the hall and the hotel management brightly illuminated the venue.

Sania Shoiab Malik Reception Pictures from Sialkot, Pakistan

2010-04-27T22:45:00.001+05:30

Sania Shoaib Sialkot Pakistan Reception PHOTO

Sania, Shoaib's reception in Pakistan

View Picture of Sania, Shoaib's reception in Pakistan.

SANIA MIRZA

Shoaib Appeals Media to end Controversy over his Wedding

2010-04-27T22:21:00.001+05:30

KARACHI: The prior cricket captain of Pakistan Shoaib Malik has appealed with the media persons to end the debate over his wedding with Sania Mirza, Indian tennis player and permit them to lead a ordinary life as a couple. The pair seemed mutually for the 1st time on a Pakistani Channel and the prior told he was tired up with the huge controversy over his marriage.
Shoaib Malik told “I am pleased to know that people are happy with our marriage but I think now it is time to stop this hype and let us live like a normal couple. I would request the media to leave alone both families.” Malik told since he & Sania had arrived in Pakistan he had almost spent his time with Sania as her bodyguard rather than her husband.
Pakistani former captain, Shoaib Malik told Ary News over his marriage with Sania “Two people from different countries got married and it should only be treated as a marriage nothing more.”

We aren't here to make money: Shoaib, Sania

2010-04-27T21:51:00.000+05:30

Shoaib Malik and Sania Mirza spoke as a happily married couple post their reception denying rumours of any sale of rights for their reception coverage.
Shoaib: Marriage has brought happiness but I now have to play the role of a bodyguard as well. I threrfore request the media not to hype it so much. Otherwise, it would be very difficult for us to handle it.

Media Quest: Why Sania did not smile in reception?
Sania: I think the media is making it an issue because they do not have anything much to say right now. It's not a big deal. I am in my husband's country, so naturally I am happy. I can understand that the people here are very excited. Obviously one cannot expect me to smile when being mobbed by people. He was trying to shield me (during reception), I did not know where my mother was. That is when media got the opportunity to take my video. Naturally in such an orderless and chaotic situation, one cannot smile.
Quest: Did you try to sell rights of your marriage reception?
Shoaib: We got offers but we thought we would not give rights to anybody because I feel it is not a good way of earning money. There are other ways of making money. I feel like laughing at news reports that (invitation) cards were sold.

Shoaib Malik and Sania Mirza wish Shahid Afridi luck for World T20 Championship

2010-04-24T18:10:00.000+05:30

LAHORE: Newly married star sports couple Sania Mirza and Shoaib Malik met Pakistan T20 skipper Shahid Malik here at the National Cricket Academy and wished him luck for the upcoming ICC World T20 Championship, which would be played in the West Indies from April 30 to May 16.
Talking to Geo News, Afridi said the couple wished him for success in the tournament and expressed the hope that Pakistan would retain the T20 title.

“I congratulated Shoaib-Sania on getting married and wished them a happy life in future,” Afridi said.

Afridi said that during the brief meeting Shoaib told him that he was eagerly waiting for a comeback in the national squad.

Later, the newly married cross border couple had a harrowing time at the five-star hotel they are staying in Lahore, as they had to wade through hundreds of fans and ‘unruly’ enthusiasts who gathered outside the hotel.

The rowdy behaviour of people even brought tears into Sania’s eyes at one point.

When Shoaib reached the Pearl-Continental Hotel with his bride from the Allama Iqbal Airport, a huge crowd was present there to get a glimpse of the newly-married couple, and severe mismanagement led to chaos at the hotel.

Both Shoaib and Sania had to make their way to an elevator through the hotel corridor jam packed with a cheering crowd.

As they passed through the crowd they faced severe pushing and shoving leading Sania to almost fall but Shoaib jumped into action by taking her into his arms.

This brought tears into Sania's eyes, who then placed her head on her mother's shoulder while walking towards the room as her mother consoled her.

Earlier, they reached Lahore on a PIA flight PK-391, which landed at the Allama Iqbal Airport. and were driven from a different route via Haj terminal on their way to the hotel.

Shoaib’s in-laws due today

2010-04-24T18:05:00.001+05:30

LAHORE: Twelve inlaws of cricketer Shoaib Malik are are arriving here today from India India for attending the valima ceremonies of Shoaib and Sania Mirza.

They will go back to Indiaon April 28 after attending the reception in Sialkot and valima function in Lahore.

Including among the members of Sania’s family, who are coming from Hyderabad Deccan, are her father Imran Mirza, sister Anam Mirza and other close relatives.

These guests will reach Lahore at 6-10 pm today.

For the Sania’s family members, the eighth floor of the Pearl-Continental Hotel in Lahore and ten rooms of a hotel in Defence Colony in Sialkot have been booked.

After attending the valima ceremony, these guests will leave Lahore for Delhi on April 28 while bride Sania and groom Shoaib will also go to India with them.

Among other guests from India are Mrs Aziza Farhan, Riffat Naheed, Maleeha Baig, Maleeha Baig, Mohammad Abdul Haq, Mirza Fayyaz Baig, Mohammad Farhan, Manzoor Mahboob khan, Mohammad Shafi Usman, Humaira Shafi and Shaheen Jahangir.

Shoaib's family asked to switch off lights

2010-04-24T18:03:00.002+05:30

LAHORE: An energy conservation drive by Pakistani authorities has forced cricketer Shoaib Malik's family to switch off lights put up to decorate his house in his hometown of Sialkot following his wedding with Indian tennis star Sania Mirza.

Ahead of a reception scheduled to be held at Shoaib's house on Sunday, the Gujranwala Electric Supply Company raided it and asked his family to switch off decorative lights in accordance with the government's recently launched energy conservation drive.

Upset by the development, Shoaib's brother-in-law Imran Zafar contacted some top officials of the Punjab government but was told that there were strict instructions that no exceptions should be for anyone, irrespective of his or her position, while implementing the campaign to save power.

Shoaib's family removed the lights as a mark of protest.

"If the government wants us to celebrate the event in the dark, we will do," said an annoyed Zafar.

As part of a nationwide campaign to conserve electricity, the federal government has closed all its offices for two days a week and put in place several measures to curb the demand for energy.

Meanwhile, Superintendent of Police (Civil Lines Division, Lahore) Haider Ashraf told reporters that police will escort Shoaib and Sania on their journey to Sialkot.

He said a strict security protocol has been put in place for the couple in Lahore.

Afridi to present kurta to Malik, scarf to Sania

2010-04-24T18:01:00.000+05:30

LAHORE: Pakistan T20 cricket team captain Shahid Afridi said he will present kurta to Shoaib Malik and scarf to Sania Mirza.

Talking to media outside National Cricket Academy before leaving to West Indies for Twenty20 World Cup, Afridi said he had a brief meeting with Shoaib and Sania and will present kurta to Shoaib and scarf to Sania on the wish of Shoaib.

Afridi said Pakistan team will put their best efforts for the success. On the other hand, Pakistan cricket team coach Waqar Younis said will not take any match easy and put best efforts to achieve the target

Welcome Sania in decent way: Shoaib malik

2010-04-24T17:50:00.000+05:30

Lahore: Cricketer Shoaib Malik has requested the public of Pakistan to treat Sania as their ‘Sister in law’ and welcome her in a decent manner.

Shoaib was reportedly upset by the uncontrollable behavior of crowds that gathered to greet him and his bride Sania Mirza on their arrival in Pakistan.

"I know the people here are very happy about our marriage but at the same time, they should be decent in expressing their emotions. In our country, respect is shown to
sisters and mothers," Shoaib told a TV news channel.

The couple has been mobbed by frenzied fans and media since their arrival in Pakistan this week.

Large crowds gathered at the airports in Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore and the hotels where Shoaib and Sania stayed.

Shoaib was upset at the behaviour of the crowds at Karachi airport and Lahore's Pearl Continental Hotel, where Sania and her mother were jostled by fans.

When Shoaib reached Pearl Continental Hotel with Sania from Allama Iqbal Airport yesterday evening, a huge crowd had gathered there to get a glimpse of the newly married couple.

The presence of the crowd caused chaos at the hotel.

Both Shoaib and Sania had to make their way to an elevator through a corridor packed with cheering fans.

As they passed through the crowd, they were pushed and shoved.

At one point, Sania was about to fall but Shoaib jumped to her rescue. This brought tears to Sania's eyes.

Unhappy over these incidents, Shaoib declined to hold a scheduled press conference.

He also met Superintendent of Police Haider Ashraf and asked him to provide the couple and his Indian guests foolproof security.

Shaoib asked police to take steps to keep uncontrolled crowds away from Sania.

Meanwhile, about a dozen of Sania's relatives are scheduled to arrive in Lahore today.

The couple will leave for Shoaib's hometown of Sialkot later in the evening for a reception to be held on Sunday.

The 'walima' or reception hosted by Shoaib will be held in Lahore's Pearl Continental Hotel on Tuesday.

Some 1,000 guests from Pakistan and abroad are expected to attend the event.

Shoaib Malik and Sania Mirza land in Pakistan

2010-04-23T01:35:00.000+05:30

Karachi, Apr 22 (PTI) Newly-wedded couple Shoaib Malik and Sania Mirza today arrived in this Pakistani port city to a rousing reception.

The Pakistani cricketer and Indian tennis star, who got married at a simple ceremony in Hyderabad in India last week, arrived at the Jinnah International Airport from Mumbai by a PIA flight. This is their first visit to Pakistan after they got married.

The couple was given a warm welcome at the international lounge where the airport administration hosted a luncheon in their honour, Geo News reported.
Shoaib and Sania will fly to Lahore later today, sources said. The couple are in Pakistan to attend their reception.
Huge crowd was seen at the airport to greet the newly-wedded couple, but they were not allowed to enter the longue by police.

Sources in Islamabad said Sania has sought a meeting with Indian High Commissioner Sharat Sabharwal and is likely to call on him tomorrow.

Over 1200 guests expected to attend Shoaib-Sania 'walima'

2010-04-21T16:48:00.000+05:30

LAHORE: Over 1200 guests are expected to attend the star sports couple Shoaib Malik and Sania Mirza's 'walima' reception, which would be held at a five-star hotel in Lahore on April 25.

According to sources in Shoaib Malik's family, seats for over 1200 guests have been reserved at the hotel for the function.

According to hotel sources, guests would be served with only one dish during the function.

The newly wed couple is expected to arrive in Lahore later this week, following which they would visit Sialkot, Shoaib's hometown, where a reception is to be held on April 25.

The hotel management has asked the local police authorities to arrange for foolproof security during the high profile function, The News reports.

The Malik's are also expecting 15 to 20 Indian guests during both functions. On Monday, the Andhra Pradesh High Court dismissed all cases against Shoaib, and ordered the police to return his passport.

The court also said that Shoaib and Sania are free to visit Pakistan whenever they want.

shoaib malik sania mirza interview

2010-04-16T23:28:00.000+05:30

In an exclusive interview to NDTV, Sania and Shoaib Malik describe how and where they met, and the toll their controversial wedding has taken on the couple.

Speaking to Shekhar Gupta, Editor-in-Chief of the Indian Express and host of NDTV's Walk the Talk, Sania said that she spent three hours getting her mehendi applied. The couple got married earlier this week. Ribbing her husband for his impatience, Sania said, " He couldn't sit still and he went away for an hour and a half...he told his brother 'entertain your bhabhi'."

Pakistani cricketer Shoaib tells NDTV they met "in 2004 for two minutes." Sania says, "We were staying at the same hotel. I was on my way to the gym and we met there."

They say they met again in Dubai.

Sania says, "A long courtship was not possible. Because we are well-known in our own and each other's countries, so it would have been tough to keep under wraps. We are both from respectable families."

The wedding turned into a national headline after another resident of Hyderabad, Ayesha Siddiqui, emerged days before the marriage to reveal that Shoaib had married her on the phone several years ago. At first, Shoaib denied that, but later, he went through with a divorce mediated by community elders in Hyderabad, where he was staying at Sania's house.

Sania says her husband's most winsome qualities are that he's "charming and simple."

shoaib malik sania mirza wedding Reception photos

2010-04-16T01:34:00.000+05:30

sania shows mehandi

shoaib and sania with chandra babu naidu

shoaib and sania

Shoaib Malik and Sania Mirza look at each other during a Sangeet ceremony

Malik moves Indian court over return of passport

2010-04-16T01:10:00.000+05:30

HYDERABAD: Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik, who got married to Indian tennis star Sania Mirza this week, moved the Indian High Court on Thursday for return of his passport.

The counsel for Malik requested the judge for hearing on the application but the judge said it can be heard on Friday and posted the matter accordingly. Malik’s passport is in the possession of a local court.

Hyderabad Deccan police had taken away Malik’s passport on April 5 and had asked him not to leave the country after a case was registered against him over a complaint from Ayesha Siddiqui who claimed to be Malik’s first wife.

After Malik divorced Ayesha, the Siddiqui family submitted an application to Hyderabad Police to withdraw the case against the all-rounder

Ceremonies begin at Sania Mirza’s house

2010-04-13T20:07:00.001+05:30

Hyderabad, April 13 (IANS) A day after Sania Mirza’s marriage with Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik, wedding ceremonies began at the residence of the Indian tennis ace here.

The bride and her bride-groom arrived at her residence in Jubliee Hills Tuesday, formally kicking up series of ceremonies. The couple stayed at Taj Krishna hotel after their ‘nikah‘ Monday afternoon.

Since Sania and her husband were paying first visit to the house after the marriage, they were given a traditional and warm welcome by her parents. Imran Mirza and his wife Naseema along with other family members came out of the house to receive the newly-wed couple.

‘Mehendi’, a pre-wedding ceremony, began Tuesday with the arrival of relatives and close friends of Sania and family members of Shoaib at Sania’s house, which has been decked up and illuminated for the occasion.

‘Sangeet’, a ceremony with musical programme, is scheduled to be held Wednesday while Sania’s family will host a gala wedding reception at the hotel. The bride’s uncle and Gazal singer Talat Aziz is set to perform at ‘Sangeet’.

Sources close to the family said since the two families advanced the ‘nikah’, the pre-wedding ceremonies like ‘mehendi’ were being held after the wedding.

Sources said the ‘nikah’ was advanced to avoid further controversies. Islamic scholars Sunday issued a ‘fatwa’ terming as un-Islamic the proximity between Sania and Shoaib before the marriage.

Sania’s family earlier stated that ‘nikah’ would take place April 15.

Shoaib, 28, wed the 23-year-old Sania at a brief and simple ceremony held at the hotel. Under ‘nikahnama’ or marriage contract, the former Pakistani skipper agreed to pay Rs.61 lakh as ‘mehr’ to Sania.

The Pakistani batsman last week divorced his first wife Ayesha Siddiqui after a bitter row surrounded the three families for a fortnight.

sania mirza shoaib malik wedding photos

2010-04-12T22:43:00.002+05:30

shoaib malik sania mirza wedding photo

sania shoaib marriage

sanai mirza with shoaib malik after nikah

shoaib malik sani mirza marriage pic

shoaib malik sania mirza nikah photo

shoaib malik wedding album

sania mirza wedding photo

shoaib malik sania mirza wedding album

sania shoaib malik marriage photos

2010-04-12T19:48:00.000+05:30

shoaib malik sania mirza wedding photos
shoaib malik sania mirza wedding videos

Shoaib Malik, Sania Mirza get married in Hyderabad

2010-04-12T17:21:00.000+05:30

photo of shoaib malik sania mirza wedding

Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik married Indian tennis star Sania Mirza at a "nikah" ceremony held at Hotel Taj Krishna in Hyderabad today, a spokesperson for the bride's family said.

"The 'nikah' is now completeed. Please pray for the couple," Rucha Nayak, the spokesperson told reporters outside the hotel.

Sania, 23, was clad in a red saree that her mother Nasima wore for her "nikah" 25 years ago, sources said. The 28-year-old former Pakistan cricket captain wore a black sherwani designed by Shantanu and Nikhil, they said.

The media was taken a bit by surprise when the two families announced this morning that the wedding would take place today. Earlier, there were reports that the ceremony would take place on April 9. Another version said the wedding would take place on the morning of the reception, scheduled for April 15.

According to the sources, the "mehandi" ceremony will take place tomorrow and the "sangeet" the day after.

The two sports stars had surprised their fans by announcing on March 29 that they were getting married. Only weeks earlier, Sania had opted out of an engagement to Sohrab Mirza, also of Hyderabad, citing reasons of incompatibility.

It was a stormy run-up to the wedding, with a Hyderabad girl, Ayesha Siddiqui, in her mid-30s, saying that Shoaib had married her in 2002.

What followed was an emotional roller-coaster ride for all concerned for a full week, with all of India and Pakistan watching spell-bound.

Shoaib denied he had married Ayesha and maintained that he, in fact, had never met her.

Ayesha insisted she had been married to him and that they had shared an intimate relationship and claimed she had evidence to back all this up. She filed a complaint with the police, and they turned up at Sania's house to question Shoaib. They also impounded his passport and mobile phone.

Ayesha claimed Shoaib had lost interest in her because she had become obese. All she wanted, she said, was a divorce so that she could move on in her life. Shoaib, of course, said there could be no divorce, because there had been no marriage in the first place.

Ayesha Siddiqui 'framed' me too: US businessman

2010-04-12T17:14:00.002+05:30

Chicago-based businessman Feroze Jalal says Ayesha Siddiqui is no pained wife, and that she tried to con him the same way she ‘framed’ Shoaib Malik.

Hyderabad is my hometown —which I will soon be visiting, probably in June. I’m currently settled in Chicago with my wife. When I read the news about Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik and his alleged link up with the Hyderabad based-Ayesha Siddiqui, what immediately struck me was the name of the woman — since I’ve known her, and had a similar experience, many years back. And in light of that experience, I feel that Ayesha may well have framed Shoaib. What has happened with Shoaib is very sad, and I can understand it better than most because I have gone through similar trauma, because of what Ayesha had done with me a few years back.

In 1997, while I was in Jeddah, I started receiving some crank calls on my phone. I found out that it was my ex-girlfriend’s friend who was making the calls. I then got to know her name —Ayesha Siddiqui. Yes, the same Ayesha who supposedly has just ‘divorced’ Shoaib Malik.

I was only 20 years old at that time. I would keep getting these crank calls everyday. Finally, I decided to speak to her. She introduced herself as Ayesha Siddiqui. Slowly, we both started talking. Sometimes, we’d talk over the phone for hours and hours. She has a typical Pakistani accent. One day, I asked her if she would meet me, and she readily agreed. We decided to meet at a super mall in Jeddah. When I reached the mall and waited for her, a slim, beautiful girl walked up to me and introduced herself, saying, ‘Hi, I’m Ayesha.” We sat and chatted for some time, but after she left, I realised that her voice didn’t sound the same as it did on the phone. I had my doubts. I therefore got in touch with one of my friends, who was Ayesha’s neighbour. His description of Ayesha was very different from what the girl I had met looked like, and he also told me that the girl who had come to meet me at the mall was not Ayesha, but a friend of hers. The next time that I asked Ayesha to meet me, she didn’t turn up at all.
On the phone, Ayesha would cry, and ask me to marry her all the time, and I would refuse. She was crazy and madly in love with me, or so I thought. I finally got irritated of all this and stopped attending her calls. Our relationship lasted only for about six months.

Finally, later, I got to know about Ayesha’s real identity, her family, etc, through a common friend. I got to know that she had been calling other boys too, and talking to them the same way, and trying to somehow force them to marry her. In fact, one of my close friends, whom I’ll just call K (since his family doesn't know about all this), who was at that time staying in Hyderabad, had started receiving similar crank calls from Ayesha. When I told K about Ayesha, he also gave up talking to her. He is now, fortunately, happily married and settled in Australia.

I strongly feel that Ayesha needs proper medication. She seems normal to speak to at first, but she is not quite a ‘normal’ personality. I think she is just looking for fame and money. What appears stranger is that her parents seem to be supporting her in all this. She has probably trapped Shoaib and framed him.
And yes, I’m saying this all on record, as my wife is fully aware of this episode.

Shoaib Malik: The storm rider

2010-04-10T22:40:00.000+05:30

timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Once marked for glory, Shoaib Malik has battled the initial storm to be with Sania Mirza, but will he drive into the sunset with her? An entire subcontinent is watching...

It is not known whether Sania Mirza or the now-happily-divorced Ayesha Siddiqui are aware that as a child growing up in the early '80s in the dusty bylanes of Sialkot, Shoaib Malik's sole passion was to fly kites. Perhaps it was here that he realised a kite always rises against and not with the wind.

Opposition, discord, two-timing and turbulence are nothing new for those adept at surfing the irresolute waves of Pakistan cricket - a world mired in flagrant double cross, prone to imploding under its own stresses. Shoaib, former Pakistan skipper, man of many roles, victim and instigator of many a smoke-and-mirror game, has risen to being its Everyman.

As an international batsman of some repute, he is the antithesis of every past Pakistani great. Shoaib is not mercurial in his strokeplay nor given to being a man of violent passions on the field of play. The keenest eye has to strain hard to spot any glimpse of beauty or grace in his batting, yet his quiet effectiveness brooks no arguments. His off-breaks, often subject to scrutiny and hauled up for their illegality, are flattish and workmanlike, but quite perfect for modern cricket's restrictive needs.

This was where he began, with the ball, in a one-day debut in Sharjah against the West Indies in 1999. Throughout - even now as he resolutely serves a legal notice to the Pakistan Cricket Board for having banned him from international play for a year - Shoaib has been adept at working his way up. His strength, this flexibility, has also been his weakness: there are enough performances of character, yet few standout moments in a decade-long career.

Shoaib's biggest backer was his father, Malik Faqueer Hussain, or Malik Salim as Shoaib refers to him, a shopkeeper of modest means who sold local footwear. He used to drop Malik junior to the playgrounds on the bicycle and people would say, "Baap beta pagal hain (both father and son are mad)." Shoaib started off, like millions of budding Pakistani cricketers, with tape ball cricket. Then, in 1993, he attended Imran Khan's Pepsi coaching clinic in Sialkot and his life turned around. From there it went like a dream - from the trials for the Under-15 World Cup in Lahore to the series against the England Under-19 s, from impressing Wasim Akram and Moin Khan with his tweakers in the Wills Cup to, eventually, a national berth.

In all this, Shoaib never forgot his father's support. When Malik Salim died of throat cancer in 2006, Shoaib broke down in an interview, acknowledging how his father used to pack cricket gear into his school bag instead of books. There are rumours Salim was vehemently against Shoaib jilting Ayesha, but they remain, much like everything else in this relationship, more shadowplay than acknowledged fact.

Always a prolific scorer against India, his effectiveness as a handy middle-order bulwark soon began to emerge. In Tests, he averages a modest 36. 11 from only 29 games. In ODIs, where he is more effective, centuries have come as an opener, at one-down and at number four, though his most entertaining innings remains the 41-ball 82 against South Africa in 2003, at No. 6. In 2006, he had a glorious run against India, scoring 90, 95 and 108 in successive home ODIs. The first Test hundred too came that year, against Sri Lanka, but the Shoaib we know today would not have emerged without the late Bob Woolmer's tutelage, and Pakistan's shambolic 2007 World Cup campaign in the wake of which he was made captain.

Shoaib was only 25, and marked for greatness by none other than Imran Khan for his "sharp cricketing brain". But sadly, when he lost the captaincy in February 2009 after a string of indifferent performances and perennial infighting, the PCB accused him of being "aloof", stating there was "nothing exciting in his captaincy". He couldn't command a place by virtue of form alone and he had problems with seniors, notably Mohammad Yousuf, once his best friend in the team. "It was unanimously decided he should play just as a player," the PCB said.

Even the highs of that period, notably the run to the final in the World T20 in Johannesburg, were soured by Shoaib's often blunt and uncultivated comments, like when he said after Pakistan lost the final to India: "I want to thank you back home [in] Pakistan and where the Muslim lives all over the world." Outrage followed, but he would soon follow it up with a bloomer in Durban when, after his team lost to India this time in a bowlout, he said he had no idea what the rules were. Back in 2005, in Hyderabad, he had accepted marrying a local girl during a game before immediately retracting his statement. Increasingly, it was becoming clear Shoaib's reliability had always been a matter of perspective.

Today, professionally and personally, he seems to be at his lowest ebb. A string of defeats to Australia have resulted in another knee-jerk reaction from the administration and a one-year ban for unspecified reasons, though local media speculated he was suspected of match-fixing. With the impending marriage to Sania will come intense media and public scrutiny, especially in Pakistan. Perhaps even talk of his past foibles and anxieties about a looming culture clash. Yet Shoaib is nothing if not resilient. That famed suppleness and flexibility may again see this man through. His cricketing career proves he may often tie himself in knots, but is equally adept at untangling them. A lasting cross-border marriage with the glamour queen of Indian sport may silence the cynics like never before. The unlikely hero may yet have the last laugh.

Even shahrukh khan loves Shoaib Malik

2010-04-08T15:09:00.000+05:30

Sania Mirza is known for controversies, She was once criticized for disrespecting Indian flag. But even Shoaib Malik is not new to controversies, He was involved in another controversy in 2007. At that time SRK came in his defence:
Interviewer: “Then how do you respond to what had happened at the T20 World Cup finals? You were there. The Pakistani team lost the match to India, and the Pakistani captain, Shoaib Malik, at the podium said 'My apologies to the entire Muslim community across the world'. You think he went out of line there?”

Shah Rukh Khan: No, I don't think so. I think, you know, because he comes from a nation which is Islamic, in a large sense, and I think he meant a lot of people must have given him duas, and when somebody gives you dua, he assumes they must be Muslims, and he must have said it as a way of speaking.
I don't think he meant to segregate Muslims and Christians and Hindus and say this was a match between Islam and Hinduism. I don't think that.
Interviewer: Because it created a lot of controversy'

Shah Rukh Khan: I know, and I think the way he spoke it out, he just meant the people who prayed. A lot of peoplemust have prayed, we all prayed. I'm a Muslim, I also do dua, and I don't think he meant it as a rift between the Hindu and the Muslim thing.

Interviewer: I mean, the irony couldn't have been completed better, because the Man of the Match of that match was Irfan Pathan, someone who came from Baroda, and here was Shoaib Malik who was talking about how the Muslim community must have been affected.

Shah Rukh Khan: I think more than the irony we should recognise the fact that these differences are no differences. You play the game, you win it and you lose it; it's got nothing to do with any religion. I think it was misconstrued what he said. I think it was just meant to be that a lot of people have given you duas when you are coming here, so I'm sorry all the Muslim guys. I think he just meant it in the general sense.

Shoaib thanks nation for support

2010-04-08T14:58:00.002+05:30

KARACHI: Former captain of Pakistan cricket team Shoaib Malik has expressed gratitude for nation and media for supporting him.
In a statement, Shoaib said he is thankful to God and Pakistani nation who extended full support during his tough times. He said God knows everything and said he will personally thank the media friends as soon as he reach back home.

“ I apologize if anyone feels hurt as far as my decision is concerned,” Shoaib added.
On the other hand, Indian police said investigations are on as the case against Shoaib Malik has not been abolished.

Senate body meets on April 10 to discuss Shoaib issue

2010-04-08T14:52:00.000+05:30

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Sports has decided to convene its meeting on April 10 to discuss issue of Shoaib Malik in context with inappropriate attitude with Pakistani Cricketer Shoaib Malik in India and the visit of Pakistani cricketers to the residence of Ayesha Siddiqui in the past.

According to sources of Senate Secretariat, the meeting to be held at the Parliament House with its Chairman Abdul Ghafar Qureshi in a chair, has also summoned high officials of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Ministry of Sports.

The Senate Standing Committee would inquire from officials of PCB and Sports Ministry regarding Code of Conduct of the board in the past and ask them that who given permission to senior players of National Cricket Team to visit the residence of Ayesha Siddiqui. Inzamam-ul-Haq, Younis Khan, Abdul Razzaq and other players had visited the house of Ayesha Siddiqui.

Sources further told that the committee has also taken notice of inappropriate attitude with Shoaib Malik in India and would get briefing from the officials of the Sports Ministry in this regard.

Chairman Senate Standing Committee, Abdul Ghafar Qureshi while contacted by Online told that the Standing Committee has summoned high officials of PCB and the ministry over issue of former captain of Pakistan Cricket Team, Shoaib Malik.

The Chairman Senate body also congratulated Pakistan Blind Cricket Team over its brilliant performance against England in Twenty-20 and one-day series and urged players of Pakistan Cricket Team to take lesson from blind Cricket Team.

Shoaib appeals against penalties

2010-04-08T10:07:00.000+05:30

KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik has sent a notice to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) seeking clarification on the Board’s decision to slap him with a one-year ban and a penalty of Rs2 million.

A senior PCB official confirmed on Wednesday that the Board has received the notice from Malik’s lawyer, adding that the PCB will respond to the notice soon.

“We will respond to Shoaib Malik’s notice soon in which he has sought justification over his punishment,” said PCB media director Nadeem Sarwar.

Sarwar made it clear that Malik hasn’t appealed against the punishment so far. “We are yet to receive a formal appeal from Malik. The deadline for filing the appeals is April 16.”

Malik, who is currently in Hyderabad (India) for his upcoming marriage with tennis star Sania Mirza, was one of the seven leading Pakistani cricketers who were penalised for a variety of offences ranging from indiscipline to ball-tampering.

All clear for Shoaib-Sania wedding, Ayesha gets divorce

2010-04-07T17:00:00.001+05:30

Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik has granted a divorce to a woman he says tricked him into marrying her, defusing a row that threatened to delay his wedding with Indian tennis star Sania Mirza.
Imran Qadri, a community elder in the Indian city of Hyderabad, said Malik divorced Ayesha Siddiqui on Wednesday.

The Siddiqui family have now withdrawn a police complaint against Malik over his plans to wed Mirza, Mr Qadri said.
Shoaib signed the talaq nama (divorce papers) after leaders said that the public splashing and scrutiny of the episode had brought a bad name to the community.
The police complaint against Shoaib was taken back and it was agreed that the cricketer would pay a maintenance amount of Rs.15, 000 paid to Ayesha as per Islamic law

Ayesha’s mother expressed relief and said her daughter had finally received justice.

“My daughter wanted a divorce without money and that has happened. Malik has come clean and I am very happy and relieved that finally he gave a divorce. The charges on him have been withdrawn. The complaint application has been withdrawn,” she added
There was no immediate comment from Malik or Mirza. He had accused the Siddiqui family of deceiving him.

Shoaib malik Ayesha Siddiqui Together photo

2010-04-07T13:09:00.002+05:30

Ayesha Siddiqui photo and Shoaib Malik Picture Revealed

Ayesha Siddiqui Picture: Shoaib Ayesha Together

But looking at the photo we can not say that the couple shares an intimate relationship as there is no physical contact.

Shoaib malik claimed that Ayesha Siddiqui was the girl who had introduced herself as Maha Apa or elder sister of Ayesha and had taken him around in Hyderabad during his visits. Shoaib said he or his brother-in-law could never meet Ayesha during their visits to Hyderabad.

Sania, Shoaib already married in Dubai?

2010-04-07T10:03:00.000+05:30

Hyderabad: At a time when Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik is fighting to clear his name off the allegations of marrying another Hyderabadi girl Ayesha Siddiqui, speculations are rife that the cricketer and the Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza tied the knot in Dubai before Shoaib landed in India a week ago.

since Malik is staying at Sania’s house in Hyderabad, it has been assumed that the Taj Krishna hotel has been booked not for the Nikah, but for a reception, scheduled to take place on April 15.
Sania’s wedding card, which has only the reception date, has also added fuel to the fire in the case. The news came at a time when several people claimed that the date of marriage would be postponed.
Sania’s wedding card, which has only the reception date, has also added fuel to the fire in the case. The news came at a time when several people claimed that the date of marriage would be postponed.
announcement,’’ said a person close to the Mirza family.

Ayesha pulls a Lewinsky

2010-04-07T10:00:00.003+05:30

The Hyderabad police may collect blood samples from Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik in a day or two to verify allegations that he had a physical relationship with Ayesha Siddiqui, who claims she had married him in 2002 through a telephonic marriage.
Police sources told Mumbai Mirror that Ayesha had handed over some semen-stained clothes as evidence for the consummation of her marital life with Shoaib and the material had been sent for forensic tests. Based on the forensic report, the police, if required, will collect the blood samples for DNA tests.
The clothes have been sent for forensic testing. Based on the results, police will decide whether to collect Shoaib’s blood samples for DNA testing
Meanwhile, the Central Crime Station (CCS) police - who took over the investigation of the case from the Banjara Hills police - are likely to question Ayesha and Shoaib yet again. The Banjara Hills police had already recorded their statements on Monday.
Meanwhile, a group of lawyers belonging to the All India Forward Block (AIFB) lodged a complaint with the State Human Rights Commission seeking a stay on Shoaib and Sania’s marriage, as he is facing criminal case of cheating, harassing and criminally intimidating his alleged first wife Ayesha. They also lodged a complaint with the Banjara Hills police against Sania Mirza. “Our government gave her house, awards and rewards for bringing pride to the nation. But, she is going as the daughter-in-law of another country. We have no objection if she wants to marry Malik but she should surrender what she has to the government,” the AIFB leaders said. Several women organisations also met Ayesha at her residence, offering her support in her fight for justice.

Shoaib Malik’s brother-in-law arrives in Delhi

2010-04-06T19:15:00.000+05:30

New Delhi, April 6 (IANS) Shoaib Malik’s brother-in-law Imran Zafar Tuesday arrived in Delhi to meet the Pakistani cricketer’s lawyer and decide the further course of action in fighting the charges slapped against him by Ayesha Siddiqui who claims to be his first wife.
Refusing to comment on the issue, Zafar responded to reporters’ queries here by saying: “We will see what happens.”

Malik, who is set to marry Indian tennis star Sania Mirza, has been in the eye of a storm over his alleged marriage to Ayesha Siddiqui.

Ayesha Sunday lodged a police complaint in Hyderabad against Shoaib for cheating her and going ahead with his second marriage with Sania without divorcing her. She filed the complaint under sections 498 A (harassment), 420 (cheating) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.

The cricketer approached Delhi-based lawyer Ramesh Gupta, who has appeared in high-profile cases like the BMW hit-and-run case and the Rahul Mahajan drug overdose case, to represent him.

Zafar has reportedly come to Delhi to consult him and decide the further course of action.

Fatwa against Shoaib for abandoning Ayesha

2010-04-06T19:06:00.000+05:30

Kolkata: A fatwa has been issued against Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik by the Shahi Imam of the Tipu Sultan mosque in Kolkata.

Tipu Sultan mosque Shahi Imam Maulana Barkati said that a nikahnama was issued only after marriage and that Shoaib was committing a sin and should be socially boycotted for denying his marriage with Ayesha Siddiqui.

"Shoaib and Ayesha are married. Nikahnama is issued only after marriage. It is quite evident that Shoaib got married to Ayesha. It is a very sacred relationship. By abandoning it, he is making a joke of Islam. It is a sin and a great crime. He must be socially boycotted in India and Pakistan. He must be given a strict punishment," said the fatwa issued by Maulana Barkati.

But the Pakistan cricketer has got some support from his former skipper Rashid Latif who claimed that the woman who Shoaib used to chat online with looked nothing like Ayesha.

"Shoaib Malik used to borrow my laptop for chatting with a girl. He showed me a few pictures of her. I can assure you that the girl I saw in pictures is not the one on TV these days," said Latif.

Shoaib is scheduled to get married to Indian tennis player Sania Mirza on April 15 in Hyderabad.

However, Ayesha and her family has been claiming that Shoaib is married to her and cannot marry Sania.

Telephonic conversation: Imran rejects Ayesha's statement

2010-04-06T19:02:00.000+05:30

ISLAMABAD, Pakistani cricket team's Opening batsman Imran Nazir rejects Ayesha Siddiqi's statement that he spoke with her on the phone as being Shoaib's wife.

Talking to a private news channel Imran Nazir said that Shoaib Malik is his close friend but he never spoke to his fiancé on phone.

"What she has said about me is absolutely wrong" he declared.

All Rounder Abdul Razzaq said that he went to Ayesha Siddiqi's home with Shoaib Malik during Pakistan cricket team's tour to India in 2005 but he didn't met the girl.

He maintained that the players of cricket team met with Ayesha's mother and father but Ayesha was not at the home.

Both the cricketers wished good luck to Shoaib and Sania for their wedding and said that the whole cricket team of Pakistan is very happy for them.

Pak Cricket Colleagues Support Shoaib

2010-04-06T19:00:00.000+05:30

As Ayesha continue with her tirade of allegations, Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik is drawing support from his former team-mates, with other sports personalities of Pakistan as well as film stars throwing their support behind Shoaib’s innocence.

Coming out strongly in favour of Shoaib, his former teammate and ex-cricket team captain Rashid Latif said the Ayesha shown on TV was not the not his colleague had fallen in love with.

“Shoaib Malik used to borrow my laptop for chatting with a girl and he did show me a few pictures of her. I can assure you that the girl I saw in pictures is not the one on TV these days,” Latif was quoted in media reports from Pakistan.

“I can go to any forum including a court of law to reiterate my statement, and I appeal to all cricketers to stand by Shoaib Malik on this issue,” he added.

Pakistani hockey player Rehan Butt has also come out in defence of Shoaib.

“This is another instance of where the Indian media is holding a media trial of Malik without knowing the truth. He has gone there to marry an Indian girl and that is something they can’t digest,” Butt said.

Star actor Saud has urged the media to let Shoaib and his would-be-bride Sania Mirza settle the matters alone.

“It is a personal matter involving Malik, Mirza and even Ayesha. It is something they have to resolve among themselves. Why spoil their happiness?” asked Saud.

Actress Meera, on the other hand, maintained that the media coverage on Ayesha’s allegations has helped garner support for Shoaib in India.

“The way he is being portrayed in the Indian media, there is a lot of sympathy for him now,” she said.

Hyderabad girl Ayesha and her family have claimed that Shoaib had married her over phone but later dumped her due to 'weight issues'.

The cricketer has been maintaining that Ayesha’s family had cheated him by sending photographs of a different girl and he had backed out when he found out that he had been duped.

Ayesha has moved criminal proceedings against Shoaib and the later has also been questioned at the Mirzas residence at Hyderabad on Monday.

Shoaib and Sania are scheduled to tie the knot on April 15 at Hyderabad.

5 Teams To Probe Shoaib-Ayesha Case

2010-04-06T18:53:00.000+05:30

The Shoaib Malik - Ayesha Siddiqui case is growing bigger than the media frenzy surrounding it. It is now known that as many as 5 teams of the Central Crime Station (CCS), a special unit of Andhra Pradesh police forces, have been set up to investigate the claims Ayesha Siddiqui has made on Shoaib Malik.

One team will question Ayesha Siddiqui and record all her allegations, focusing on getting her version of the story. Another team will investigate medical grounds. It will gather and examine all medical proofs of pregnancy presented by Ayesha, followed by Shoaib's connection, if any, with them. A third team will look for proofs of stay in the hotels where the cricketer allegedly checked in with Ayesha.

A fourth team will follow Shoaib's version of the story and investigate any supporting evidence. A final team is said to head to the Middle East to get information of the couple’s alleged trysts in the UAE and in the nearby region.

Malik, who had earlier asked his lawyer not to file for anticipatory bail since he was cooperating with the Hyderabad police's investigations, said he might go for an anticipatory bail if he will be questioned again on Tuesday.

Shoaib Malik's brother-in-law is expected to land in Hyderabad today, and his immediate family will follow tomorrow.

PCB may lift ban on Shoaib malik

2010-04-06T18:50:00.000+05:30

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday said it was willing to consider lifting the ban on former captain Shoaib Malik. if he makes an appeal.

PCB chairman Ijaz Butt told Headlines Today that the board might consider lifting the one-year ban on Shoaib.

Shoaib - who is in a legal wrangle because of his alleged marriage to Hyderabad woman Ayesha Siddiqui - was banned for a year after the Pakistani team's tour of Australia earlier this year. This was part of a sweeping crackdown by the PCB on senior players.

Referring to the ban, former Pakistan cricketer Sarfaraz Nawaz had accused Shoaib of fixing matches.

'Ayesha not the girl Shoaib fell in love with' : Rashid Latif

2010-04-06T18:49:00.000+05:30

Karachi, Apr 6: Even as the Indian media reports with near certainty that the Hyderabad police has enough information to nail the Shoaib Malik in connection with cheating and harassment cases filed against him, the Pakistani cricketer's colleague Rashid Latif has come to rescue of Malik.
Rashid has revealed that the woman that Malik saw and fell in love with on the internet was not the Ayesha Siddiqui being shown on the television now.

The cricketer said that he he had seen the photographs of the girl with whom Shoaib used to chat with online.
Speaking to a private news channel, Rashid said, "Shoaib Malik used to borrow my laptop for chatting with a girl and he did show me a few pictures of her. I can assure you that the girl I saw in pictures is not the one on TV these days."

"I can go to any forum including a court of law to reiterate my statement, and I appeal to all cricketers to stand by Shoaib Malik on this issue," he added.

The former Pakistan captain has also urged other team members to come out in support of Malik, who face criminal charges on the FIR filed by Ayesha.

Ayesha claims that Malik married her over the phone in 2002. According to her, Shoiab dumped her over her weight issues.

Defending himself, Shoaib says that he was one who was cheated as the photos of the girl sent to him were that of another lady.

This controversy came to the forefront as the Pakistani all-rounder and Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza are set to get married on Apr 15 in Hyderabad.

Sania Mirza, Shoaib Malik address media in Hyderabad video

2010-04-05T18:11:00.002+05:30

Sania Mirza and Shoaib Malik say that they are from respectable families and it is painful to answer questions about alleged marriage.

Sania backs Shoaib, says marriage as scheduled

2010-04-05T18:09:00.000+05:30

Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza has urged Ayesha Siddique to come out in the open and defend her claim of marriage to her would-be husband, former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik.

Addressing the media in Hyderabad on Monday evening along with Malik, Sania backed Shoaib and declared that their marriage would take place as scheduled on April 15.

"I am standing by my future husband to clear his name," she said.

"There is no reason for the marriage to be postponed. It will take place on April 15. If there is any change we will inform you. I am standing here by my future husband to clear his name.

"All our well-wishers are shocked by this. The entire drama has left a very bad taste in our mouths. Shoaib never misled me or any members of my family. There was never a marriage, so there is no question of divorce. We are well aware of what the truth is," she added.

Shoaib asked Ayesha to come out in the open and present her defence.

"Why is Ayesha not coming out in the open. Why is she making statements against me behind camera," he said, adding he will not apologise to Ayesha over her claims that he had cheated on her after she was married to him.

"The Siddiquis are doing all this for cheap publicity," he said.

Earlier in the day, the Hyderabad police seized Shoaib's passport and asked him not to leave the country.

Twenty-nine-year-old Ayesha was also questioned by the police, which is trying to verify authenticity of the nikahnama, cited by the Siddiqui family, and a photo of her with the 28-year-old Shoaib.

I'm not going anywhere, I'll clear my name: Shoaib

2010-04-05T18:07:00.000+05:30

Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik Monday said he would not leave India till his name is cleared in the controversy surrounding his alleged first marriage to a city girl.

Accompanied by his bride-to-be, Indian tennis star Sania Mirza, he spoke to media persons outside her residence here and declared that they would marry April 15 as scheduled.

“I am here for my marriage and to clear my name. I will Inshaallah clear my name and am cooperating with the police and Indian government. I will do everything,” Shoaib told reporters here in a chaotic press conference.

Facing a volley of questions, the Pakistani batsman maintained that he had done nothing wrong and hence there was no question of apologising.

He also challenged Ayesha Siddiqui to come before the media, adding the world would know the truth once she comes out.

“I have never met the girl whose photographs were sent to me. I don’t know who is Ayesha. I used to call her (the girl who is claiming to be his first wife) Maha Apa and Apa means elder sister,” Shoaib said.

“I am here, why doesn’t she come before the camera, and I will answer all the questions.”

The cricketer admitted that police had taken away his passport after the questioning Monday morning but was confident that he would get it back by the evening.

“Nobody can touch me till charges against me are proved,” he said when asked if he fears arrest.

He said the Pakistani high commissioner in India spoke to him and assured him full assistance in clearing his name.

A tense-looking Sania said she was upset over the allegations but claimed she knew the truth. “Our marriage will Inshallah take place on April 15. There is no question of postponing it,” she said.

“We are representing our countries in different ways, and it is very painful to speak on such matters,” Sania said.

Shoaib also termed Ayesha’s allegations “a cheap publicity gimmick”.

To questions by reporters that Ayesha alleged she had got pregnant after her “marriage” with Shoaib and had had a “miscarriage”, Shoaib said: “Let her first prove it, and then let’s probe it.”

I married Ayesha on phone: Shoaib to police

2010-04-05T18:01:00.000+05:30

Even as the Hyderabad Police has been tight-lipped about grilling Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Akhtar in a case of cheating, registered by the Hyderabad woman who claims to be his wife, Ayesha Siddiqui, Headlines Today managed to access some details of the two-hour questioning session.

ACP Ravinder Reddy asked Shoaib more than 40 questions at tennis star Sania Mirza's residence in the city on Monday. Also in the room was the Mirzas' lawyer. However, neither Sania nor any of her family members were present during the grilling.

Here are some questions put to Shoaib and his responses accessed byHeadlines Today:

Q. How many times did you stay at Ayesha Siddiqui's house in Hyderabad?
A. Three times.

Q. How many times have you stayed at Sania Mirza's residence?
A. This is the first time that I am staying there.

Q. Did you marry a girl named Ayesha in 2002?
A. Yes, on phone.

Q. Did you meet her before marriage?
A. No, I had just seen her pictures.

Q. When did you meet Ayesha after marriage?
A. I have not met her till date.

Q. Did you try to meet your wife?
A. I went to my in-laws' house thrice but could not meet my wife.

Q. When did you know that Maha was Ayesha?
A. In 2005, through my brother-in-law Imran Zafar.

Q. Was this Nikahnama made in Pakistan?
A. I don't know the truth, but this signature is not mine.

Ayesha was pregnant, had miscarriage: Family

2010-04-05T17:56:00.002+05:30

Hyderabad, April 5 (IANS) Cricketer Shoaib Malik and tennis star Sania Mirza’s marriage saga got murkier Monday as Hyderabad resident Ayesha Siddique’s family claimed she was not only married to the former Pakistan team skipper, but also got pregnant and suffered a miscarriage.

While Shoaib has denied marriage with Ayesha, the latter’s family claimed that they lived as man and wife.

“She was pregnant and had a miscarriage. Shoaib knew about it but did not bother,” Shams Babar, a family friend of Ayesha, told reporters outside her house in Banjara Hills.

He along with Ayesha’s lawyer also alleged that the Pakistani cricketer physically and mentally abused her. They declined to answer queries saying this would be proved in the court of law.

A day after Shoaib, in his statement, denied meeting Ayesha, Babar said the two had met 14 times. “We have solid proof to nail Shoaib,” Babar said.

“I am warning Shoaib not to make it worse by prolonging it. He should admit it and make a public apology like a good man and give divorce to Ayesha,” he said.

Hyderabad Police questions Malik for over two hours

2010-04-05T17:54:00.000+05:30

Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik on Monday handed over his passport and mobile phone to an investigation team, which questioned him on a complaint filed by Mohammed Siddiqui father of his alleged first wife Ayesha.

Hyderabad Police questioned Malik for over two hours at tennis star Sania Mirza's house.

Malik reportedly claimed his signature on the nikhanama was forged.

Earlier, acting on Mohammed Siddiqui's complaint, police asked Malik not to leave the city without their permission and also alerted immigration officials.

Ayesha has alleged that she and Mailk are already married, and, he is marrying Sania without her consent.

Sania and Malik are scheduled to wed on April 15.

On Saturday, Malik arrived in city to meet with Sania.

The Siddiqui family charged Malik with harassing Ayesha, cheating to marry another girl and accused criminal intimidation.

A police team has also questioned Siddiqui family at their residence, following an allegation of forgery levelled by Malik.

Hyderabad police may ask Malik to undergo scientific tests. (ANI)

Shoaib Malik clarifies his role in marriage controversy - video

2010-04-04T21:50:00.000+05:30

Shoaib Malik clarifies his role in marriage controversy

Is Azharuddin witness to Shoaib, Ayesha staying in a hotel?

2010-04-04T21:44:00.000+05:30

HYDERABAD: Are former Indian captain Mohammed Azharuddin and his wife Sangita Bijlani witness to Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik and his 'first wife' Ayesha staying in a city hotel?

If one believes the family friends of Ayesha Siddiqui, who claims to be Shoaib's first wife, Azharuddin and Sangita were staying in the same hotel where the Pakistani cricketer and Ayesha were sharing a room after their 'marriage' in 2002.

The claims are significant as Shoaib, who is set to marry Sania Mirza later this month, is refusing to accept Ayesha as his first wife. While admitting that he signed the 'nikahnama' or marriage document over phone in 2002, Shoaib said he presumed that the girl on the other side was the one whose photographs were sent to him.
The Pakistani cricketer has denied meeting Ayesha, the daughter of M.A. Siddiqui, a former official of Saudi Airlines.

However, Ayesha on Sunday told some television channels that Shoaib met her several times during his visit to Hyderabad, they spent time together and that she has witnesses to prove this.

Ayesha also claimed that two employees of Taj Residency, where she shared a room with Shoaib, were ready to testify.

Siddiqui's family friends in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, said the couple, during their stay at the hotel, also met Azharuddin, now a Member of Parliament, and his wife Sangita.

While Shoaib claims he never met Ayesha, the latter insists that they met on several occasions since 2001 but the cricketer, who was not a big star then, lost interest in her due to her being overweight.

Ayesha's family has already released copies of the 'nikahnama' issued in Pakistan and signed by Shoaib. A video footage of a Man of the Match presentation ceremony after the India-Pakistan practice match in Hyderabad in 2005 is also being seen as proof. Shoaib had said at the ceremony that Hyderabad is the home town of his wife.

After the match, the Pakistani team was also feted with a dinner at the residence of Ayesha in Banjara Hills.

FIR filed against Shoaib Malik by Ayesha’s father

2010-04-04T21:00:00.000+05:30

Hyderabad: Mohammed Siddiqui, father of Ayesha Siddiqui who claims to be Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik’s wife, has filed a FIR against the Shoaib for cheating.
Mohammed Siddiqui, in his complaint, accused Shoaib of cheating, cruelty to woman and criminal conspiracy, Banjara Hills Police Inspector Iqbal Siddiqui said.
"We received the complaint and we have not booked any case so far. We are verifying the facts," the police official said.

Earlier, asserting that his marriage with Indian tennis star Sania Mirza would go on as scheduled here on April 15, Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Malik today contended that the ''nikahnama' with Hyderabad girl Ayesha Siddiqui was ''invalid'' and ruled out divorce.
Talking to mediapersons outside Sania's residence for the first time since he arrived here secretly, the 28 year-old Shoaib claimed that the Siddiquie family had cheated him after ''emotionally forcing'' him into ''Nikhanama'' with Aiysha.
His lawyer would take care of the legalities, he added.
UPDATE
Police register case of cheating against Shoaib Malik

The city police today registered a case of cheating against Shoaib Malik based on a complaint filed by Mohammed Siddiqui, father of Ayesha, the Hyderabad girl who claims to be the wife of the former Pakistan cricket captain.

Siddiqui in his complaint, which was lodged hours after Shoaib today confirmed his marriage with tennis star Sania Mirza on April 15, had accused the Pakistani cricketer of cheating his daughter.

The Banjara Hills police said a case under Sections 420 (cheating), 498-A (dowry harassment) and 506 (criminal intimidation) has been booked against Shoaib and they will take up the investigation after verifying facts of the complaint.

Shoaib, who landed here yesterday, had denied earlier in the day that he had ever entered into a wedlock with Ayesha.

Shoaib Malik’s image will be tainted, feels Akram

2010-04-04T20:53:00.000+05:30

New Delhi, April 4 (IANS) Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram feels that all juicy news about Shoaib Malik’s past relationship with an Indian girl will harm the Pakistani cricketer’s image.

“Pakistan cricket continues to intrigue me. Quite a few things are making headlines and unfortunately, almost all for the wrong reasons! First up, many congratulations to Shoaib Malik, although the juicy news about his previous relationship will do him no good,” Akram, bowling coach of Kolkata Knight Riders, wrote in his column in ESPNStar.com.

“Whatever the facts are, I will like to wish Sania Mirza and Shoaib a good life together. Marriage is sacred,” he added.

Shoaib’s pending wedding with Indian tennis star Sania Mirza has been marred with one Ayesha Siddiqui, also from Hyderabad, claiming to be the wife of the cricketer and made public the ‘nikahnama’ to prove the marriage.

The Pakistani cricketer admitted that he signed the marriage document presuming that the bride was the girl whose photographs were sent to him.

Shoaib and Sania’s wedding is likly to take place in Hyderabad April 15. Sania also tweeted on the controversy saying she and her family know the truth.

The Siddiquis have been tightlipped but their family friends said legal notices were served on Shoaib and his brother-in-law Imran Zafar for cheating and defamation.

I have witnesses to prove I stayed with Shoaib at a hotel in Hyderabad: Ayesha

2010-04-04T20:47:00.000+05:30

Lahore, Apr.4 (ANI): In yet another twist to the controversy surrounding Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik's wedding with Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza, Ayesha Siddiqui, the Hyderabad based girl who claims to be Malik's first wife, has said that she has two witnesses to prove that she and Malik had shared a hotel room in Hyderabad after their alleged marriage in 2002.

Buzz up!
Ayesha told a private television channel that two staff members of the Taj Residency Hotel, which was known as Holiday Inn earlier, have agreed to testify that they served the couple during their stay in Hyderabad.

"If you are asking if we lived together- yes, we did stay together and it is unfortunate that we also have to prove this but we have witnesses," The Daily Times quoted Ayesha, as saying.

Meanwhile, speaking for the first time over the controversy, Malik, who is currently at Sania's place in Hyderabad, has denied meeting Ayesha ever and said that the star tennis player would be his first wife.

The Siddiquis claim that Malik married their daughter Ayesha in 2002, but has not divorced her till date.Malik, on the other hand, has denied being married to Ayesha.

He, however, admitted to talking to a girl named Ayesha over the telephone, but said he has never seen or met the girl.

The Siddiquis have reportedly sent a defamation notice to Shoaib Malik and his brother-in-law for harassment, fraud and character assassination.

The Hyderabad based family had also produced pictures of Shoaib-Ayesha's Nikahnama (marriage certificate), which shows that their marriage was solemnised on June 3, 2002. (ANI)

I never met Ayesha. Sania will be my 1st wife: Shoaib Malik

2010-04-04T09:34:00.000+05:30

Former Pakistan cricket captain Shoaib Malik flew into Hyderabad early on Saturday morning for his impending wedding to Indian tennis star Sania Mirza. But instead of pre-nuptial niceties, the prospective groom was greeted by allegations that he was already married to someone else.

The shy Shoaib was shocked to learn that the Siddiqui family and their daughter Maha (also known as Ayesha) had taken an already-resolved issue to television channels on Friday.

"I thought we had sorted it out when we had sent a legal notice to M A Siddiqui two years ago," he said as preparations for his wedding begin. He spoke to The Times of India in the first and exclusive face-to-face interview to present his side of the story. Excerpts:

When did you meet Ayesha Siddiqui for the first time?
This relationship started on the telephone, in the year 2001. I was in Sharjah at that time, with the Pakistan cricket team. She telephoned me, introduced herself as Ayesha, and told me that she was a fan of mine, who lived in Saudi Arabia. That's how we got talking.

When then did you meet Ayesha Siddiqui?
As we started talking more and more, Ayesha sent me some photographs, which she said were of herself. I haven't met the girl in the photographs, not to this day.

Can you explain that?
When I returned to Pakistan after the Sharjah tournament, I showed my parents the photographs Ayesha had sent me. I told them that I liked this girl. We spoke every single day. I kept pushing her to meet me, but she resisted it. She said we'll meet at our shaadi.

Who is the girl in the photographs?
I thought it was Ayesha Siddiqui, the girl I was talking to. But now I honestly don't know.

You were talking every day to a girl you were interested in, didn't you want to meet her?
Of course I did. In 2002, I can't remember the exact date, I came to Hyderabad with the sole intention of meeting Ayesha. Just before I left Pakistan, she called me and told me she had to rush to Saudi Arabia on urgent work. She told me that her cousins, Reema and Maha apa (meaning older sister) would take me around. I then asked her cousins and parents where she was, and they said that in the last year she had put on a lot of weight, because of which she didn't want to meet me. I told them that I had photographs of her, and that she looked fine. But they said the photographs were of a year ago. A year or so later, I travelled to Hyderabad. Again, I was met by Reema and Maha apa. Ayesha gave me the same excuse, saying she hadn't lost the weight she had put on, because of which she didn't want to meet me.

What was your reaction?
I wanted to support her. I wanted to understand her situation.

Were you alright with not meeting her?
Before Pakistan's tour of India (2005), I told my brother-in-law that we should visit India, meet the girl and formalise the relationship. My brother-in-law Imran Zaffer had to come to New Delhi on work. He called Ayesha and told her he would be coming to Hyderabad. The day before he was to come here, she called and told him that she had to leave to the United States on urgent work. My brother-in-law wasn't very happy, but since his tickets were already booked he came to Hyderabad. She had told him she would leave her cell phone with her cousin Maha. Then, I got here for the Tour. In a game in Hyderabad, the day before the Pakistan cricket team was invited to the Siddiquis house for dinner, I won the man of the match. When I collected the award, I said that it is good that this happened in my wife's city.

When did you get married?
This episode happened in 2002. Ayesha wanted us to get married. While I definitely wanted to marry her, I didn't want to rush into it. For one, I hadn't met her. She suggested that we could do a telephone nikah right away. There was no way I could tell my parents about a telephone nikah, because it's not the way they wanted me to get married. I was just 20 then, and under a lot of pressure from Ayesha to get married as she was saying that her family was losing face in Hyderabad as word had got around that we were courting. I walked out of my house one morning in June 2002, and went to my friend's shop and called from there. I got a nikahnama, signed it, thinking the girl I was marrying was the one in the photographs.

In Muslim law, this arrangement doesn't work no matter what paper may or may not be there simply because, when the proposal was made, the image in my head was the girl in the photographs, but the girl, who was accepting the proposal was someone else. That's cheating.

You got married in 2002, which means you were just 20. It is below the legal marriageable age in India...
In Pakistan its 18. Still, I wasn't ready for marriage at that point. The Siddiquis had a reception for the Pakistan team, before that game in Hyderabad... It was a dinner. Once again, I went there hoping to meet her, but they said the same thing. It was very frustrating. A few players even asked Siddiqui saab, why she wasn't there. I was taken for a ride.

Did you not suspect that there was something wrong?
There are two things, foremost is the fact that I wanted this relationship to work, and secondly, I was around 20 when this happened. I was really young. Looking back, there were a few questions at the back of my mind. The more I met Maha apa, the way she spoke, particularly her accent, I thought it was similar to the girl on the phone, but I put it down to my mind working over time.

When did you discover that the girl in the photograph and the girl you were speaking to were two different people?
Some time in August 2005, when I was in Pakistan, my brother-in-law told me that his nephews, who were in Saudi had a teacher called Maha Siddiqui, who was telling everyone she was the Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik's wife. He showed me a photograph of the teacher and I was shocked to see it was Maha apa.

I called Ayesha immediately and told her I know the truth. I was enraged. I told her I was going to release the photographs she had mailed me. She apologised and told me that the other girl was married and that I would ruin her life if I released those pictures. I thought about it, whosoever photographs these are, probably doesn't even know about all this, and it wouldn't be fair to release those pictures.

Do you think your story is believable?
It is the truth as I lived it. My mistake is my innocence. Part of me is really, really angry, for what I have put my family and my (to be) in-laws, they have all been so sweet and supportive. I want to say this one thing, this is my first marriage.

VIDEO : Shoaib Malik , Sania Mirza Together in Sania's Home Balcony

2010-04-03T18:15:00.001+05:30

Marriage in Hyderabad, confirms Sania's family

2010-04-03T14:57:00.000+05:30

Rubbishing Pakistani media reports of a possible shift of venue to Dubai for the much anticipated Shoaib-Sania wedding, source within the Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza’s family on Saturday (April 3) said that the wedding will take place in Hyderabad on April 15, as per schedule.

This comes even as the Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik made an unexpected visit to Hyderabad and was seen the balcony of Sania Mirza’s residence. He came down to the city last night, eleven days ahead of his scheduled visit.

Earlier, reports suggested that wedding venue has been shifted to Dubai for fears of protests. Pakistani media also reported that the Maliks are not keen to travel to India.

Earlier, the Indian High Commission issued visas to Shoaib Malik and his family members to visit India n connection with his marriage with Sania.

Imran Zafar Malik, Shoaib's brother-in-law had earlier confirmed that seven visas had been issued for the visit which will start around April 6. He said visas were issued to Shoaib's mother, brother, sister, Imran himself and his children while one of Shoaib's sisters and a few close relatives have applied for Indian visas from Germany.

This move from the Maliks comes just a day after the controversy between them and the Siddiquis, who claim that their daughter Ayesha got married to Shoaib in 2002 and has not been given a divorce yet, continued with the latter slapping a legal notice on the Pakistani cricketer.

Shoaib malik reaches Hyderabad to meet Sania

2010-04-03T14:16:00.000+05:30

Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik arrived in Hyderabad and met tennis star Sania Mirza to work out the details of their wedding, reports said on Saturday.

Malik met Sania at her Jubilee Hills residence ahead of their wedding on April 15. Malik reached Hyderabad on Friday night.

Meanwhile, Pakistani media reported that the wedding venue has been shifted to Dubai from Hyderabad.

Sania-Sohaib Nikah Postponed, Venue Shifted To Dubai

2010-04-03T14:03:00.000+05:30

Hyderabad, Apr 3: Ace tennis star Sania Mirza is all set to tie the nuptial knot with Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik in Dubai on April 15, as Malik's family fears protests in India on their arrival.
The Pakistani media has reported that Malik's family wants the wedding to take place in Dubai and would not come to India.

"Around 25 people are expected to attend the marriage in Dubai," adds the Pakistani media.

After the marriage, the couple will be based in Dubai, where Shoaib is a resident.

The wedding ceremony of both the sports stars will take place in April, while the Walima reception will be hosted by Shoaib on April 16 or 17 in Lahore.

Ayesha's family serves notice to Shoaib Malik

2010-04-03T12:55:00.001+05:30

In a latest development in former Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik's post marriage controversy, the two families are now gearing up for a legal battle.

According to the sources close to Ayesha Siddiqui's family, they have sent a legal notice to Malik and his brother-in-law Imran Zafar Malik.

After Indian tennis player Sania Mirza announced her wedding with the former Pakistan captain, the Siddiquis came out in public alleging that he married their daughter Ayesha in 2002 and later dumped her.

The legal notice served to Maliks reportedly includes charges like - harassment, fraud and character assassination.

Meanwhile, Malik's family is also preparing for a legal battle with the Siddiquis in India.

The Maliks have reportedly filed a defamation suit against Ayesha's family.

According to the sources, the Maliks have spoken to renowned lawyer Ramesh Gupta to represent them in India.

Gupta is a former chairman of BAR Council of Delhi. He has appeared as defence lawyer in high-profile cases like BMW hit-and-run case. He is also the main lawyer for slain politician Pramod Mahajan's son Rahul Mahajan in the ongoing trial in a narcotics case.

Earlier on Friday, Ayesha's family launched an all-out attack on Malik and his family.

Ayesha's mother said that Shoaib Malik has "cheated her daughter" and they didn't send Ayesha to Pakistan as they feared for her life

Shoaib gets breather after top cleric says Shariat doesnt recognize telephonic nikah

2010-04-03T12:31:00.000+05:30

A top Pakistani cleric, Mufti Muhammad Naeem, has said that Islamic Shariat (doctrines) does not recognise any relationship which can not be trusted. He was referring to cricketer Shoaib Maliks alleged telephonic marriage with a Hyderabad based girl, Ayesha Siddiqui.
Naeem said that according to the Shariat, eyewitnessess account is obligatory for the verification of nikah (marriage).

The acceptance of both bride and groom in front of eyewitnesses was necessary as per Shariat. The telephonic testimony is not trustworthy according to the Shariat and neither there is any standing about the acceptance of groom, The News quoted Naeem, as saying.
The remarks come amidst allegations from the Siddiqui family that Shoaib is already married to Ayesha, and that he has cheated her by announcing his marriage to tennis star Sania Mirza.
The controversy surrounding the star sports couple marriage has seen several twists and turns.
Meanwhile, the Siddiqui family has served a legal notice to Shoaib alleging that he had married Ayesha in 2002 and must come clean over the first marriage before tying the knot with Mirza.
The family has sent a legal notice to the Maliks on the grounds of defamation, harassment, character assassination and fraud.
The legal notice comes after Shoaibs brother-in-law Imran Zafar Malik told a private television channel that they have hired a counsel in New Delhi to take legal action against the Hyderabad based Siddiqui family.
Imran agreed that Shoaib had got engaged to Ayesha, but the Siddiqui family had shown a photograph of another girl at the time of engagement.
On Friday, the controversy took another ugly turn when the Siddiqui family came out with, what they claimed, was the marriage certificate of Shoaib and Ayeshas marriage.
Pakistani television channels flashed the alleged Nikahnama (marriage certificate), which apparently contained the signatures of Shoaib on the column for the groom and the name of Maha Siddiqui on the column for the bride.
I have released this marriage certificate because Shoaib and his family have constantly been denying this marriage, Ayesha told one Pakistani television channel over the telephone from Hyderabad.

Me and my family know the truth: Sania mirza

2010-04-03T12:23:00.000+05:30

Her prospective groom is facing allegations of marrying and dumping a woman, but Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza backed Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik on the matter, saying that she and her family have known the truth all along.

Although she did not mention Shoaib directly, Sania's latest twitter feed clearly supported her husband-to-be, who
has been accused of cheating a Hyderabadi girl Ayesha Siddiqui after a telephonic nikah.

"Me and my family know what the truth is, we've known it all along and we have confidence in god's justice," Sania
said.

The 24-year-old has been flayed by the Shiv Sena and some other right wing parties for deciding to marry the Pakistani
all-rounder.

Getting ready for the "biggest day" of her life, Sania said she never thought she would have to deal with so many
things apart from the regular pre-wedding jitters.

"Too much going on, never in my life thought that I'd had to worry bout anything of this sort, rather than my mehendi!" she said.

"Leaves me with no choice but to laugh. I am pretty sure these are not the pre-wedding jitters or butterflies in the
stomach my married cousins were talking about!" she quipped.

Meanwhile, Shoaib's family has got in touch with Delhi-based criminal lawyer Ramesh Gupta, who has been
representing them in the battle with the Siddiquis for the past two years.

Ayesha's family alleges that Shoaib married her over phone but dumped her later due to her weight problems. Shoaib,
however, insists that it was the Siddiquis who cheated him.

The 28-year-old has said he was sent photographs of a girl who is not Ayesha and that he was only engaged to that
girl but backed out after finding out that he had been duped.

Ayesha Siddiqui interview: 'I am Maha'

2010-04-02T19:42:00.000+05:30

THE LOVE triangle between Sania, Shoaib and Ayesha is taking all new twist and turns. Ayesha claiming to be Shoaib's wife speaks in public about her relationship with the former Pakistani Captain.

Ayesha Siddiqui broke her silence and said that she wants a legal divorce as uttering of the words Talaak Talaak Talaak' will not work for her. She also added that she doesn't have anything against Sania Mirza.

Ayesha said that “ I am fat and not good looking, that is why Shoaib has changed his mind. But Shoiab's brother-in-law is claiming that Ayesha is lying as she cheated Shoaib and his family.

Ayesha said: “I and shoaib got married in Sialkot. All were very happy including both of us. Shoaib never pointed out my fatness. He loved me a lot and always gifted me all the trophies he won”.

“But situations changed in 2006 and so did Shoiab’s behavior towards me”.

Ayesha also told that she was a very good friend of Sania Mirza and the most surprising thing which Ayesha said in her interview was that Shoaib didn’t like Sania’s profession.

Is it time for Sania to break her silence? As her future husband is being targetted with thousands of questions.

Ayesha claimed that she has proof in form of documents of marriage and photographs but Shoiab Malik's brother in law defended him claiming that all the documents she has are fake.

According to the documents, the marriage was solemnized at June 3, 2002 by Hafiz Mohammad Khalid s/o Munir, while Mukhtar Ali Khan s/o Abdul Rehman and Syed Ibrar Hussain s/o Syed Mubbashar Ali were named as witnesses in the certificate.
In the certificate a Rs500 was set as Haq Mehar; Ayesha said that her nick name is Maha and that is why her name Maha Siddiqui was written in the certificate.
Ayesha said that she received the marriage certificate through courier besides the Rs500 amount as Haq Mehar.
She said that all she wanted from Shoaib is divorce, and if he did not, she would move the court in this regard

Siddiqui family releases Shaoib's wedding certificate

2010-04-02T19:32:00.000+05:30

Karachi, Apr 2 (PTI) The Shoaib Malik-Ayesha Siddiqui controversy took another turn today when the Siddiqui family released, what they claimed, the marriage certificate of the Pakistani cricketer's 2002 'wedding' with the Hyderabad girl.
The marriage certificate (Nikahnama) was shown by several Pakistani television channels and apparently contained the signatures of Shoaib Malik on the column for the groom and the name of Maha Siddiqui on the column for the bride.

"I have released this marriage certificate because Shoaib and his family have constantly been denying this marriage," Ayesha told the 'Duniya' channel from Hyderabad.
While the Siddiqui family claims Shoaib is married to their daughter Ayesha and Indian tennis star Sania Mirza would be his second wife if they go ahead with the marriage, the Pakistani cricketer and his family have constantly denied that he ever entered into any wedlock with Ayesha.

Shiv Sena criticizes Sania for marrying a Pakistani

2010-04-02T18:52:00.000+05:30

The right-wing Shiv Sena has lashed out at tennis star Sania Mirza for her decision to marry Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik.
In the party mouthpiece 'Saamna', the Shiv Sena said, Sania should marry an Indian if she wishes to play for India, adding that she is longer an Indian. Had she truly been an Indian at heart, she would not have chosen a Pakistani.

Further objecting to Sania's marriage, the Shiv Sena asserted she should marry an Indian in order to retain Indian nationality.
"After marriage, Sania will become a Pakistani citizen. How can she have Pakistani citizenship and play for India? Has this country become a tennis ball to Sania that she plays with it, however she pleases?" adds the Sena.
National Communist Party (NCP) leader Jitendra Avhad and Samajwadi Party leader Abu Asim Azmi have also expressed their displeasure at Sania's marriage asserting that she would become a Pakistani after her marriage.
It has been reported that the wedding ceremony of both sports stars will take place in April, while the Walima reception will be hosted by Shoaib on April 16 or 17 in Lahore.
Shoaib was earlier engaged and allegedly married to another Hyderabad girl, Ayesha Siddiqui. (ANI)

photos of shoaib malik and Sania Mirza

2010-04-02T18:34:00.005+05:30

sania mirza and shoaib malik

Shoaib malik's family get Indian visas

2010-04-02T16:50:00.000+05:30

Seven family members of Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik have got their Indian visas for his wedding with tennis star Sania Mirza, which would be solemnised in Hyderabad on April 11.
Shoaib’s father, mother, sister and brother-in-law and their children are likely to visit Hyderabad for the star couple’s marriage, 'The News' reports.
The Malik family is expected to arrive in India three days before the marriage in order to participate in traditional ceremonies and rituals, sources said.

Earlier, the Pakistan High Commission had denied Sania a visa for Sialkot, Shoaib’s home town where a reception (Valima) was to be held after the couple’s marriage.
Sania has only got visa for Lahore and Karachi following which the reception is likely to be shifted to Lahore.
Both Shoaib and Sania’s family are busy in finalising all issues concerning the marriage of the sports couple, which has dominated news headlines in both India and Pakistan since early this week.
Shoaib, who has been banned by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for a year, is currently busy playing league cricket in Bangladesh, and is due to return to Pakistan within a few days.

Pakistanis welcome 'Sania Bhabhi' on Facebook

2010-04-02T16:44:00.000+05:30

Pakistanis are going gaga over the upcoming Sania Mirza-Shoaib Malik wedding, with some ardent fans creating a Facebook page to welcome "Sania Bhabhi".

"We welcome Bhabhi Sania Mirza to Pakistan" was created on the social networking website shortly after Sania and Shoaib confirmed that they were getting married on April 15.

Most fans who posted on the page took pride in the fact that Sania Mirza would soon be Pakistan's "bahu".

Some others, however, regretted that the couple would be staying in Dubai after their marriage.

"Nice couple. May Allah bless them," wrote Fareeha Akhtar, a fan of the page.

Links to news items and pictures of Sania and Shoaib have been posted on the page.

Fans were asked to refrain from posting "offensive" comments.

"Dear fans. Please do not write offensive or derogatory comments on this page. Sania and Shoaib are Pakistan's pride and we must respect them," wrote the creator of the page.

So far over 300 Pakistanis have joined in to welcome "Sania Bhabhi" to Pakistan.

Elsewhere in the blogosphere, Pakistanis are wondering if Sania would play for Pakistan or change her surname to "Malik" while some are betting on the longevity of the marriage.

Bhajji & SRK will be invited: Shoaib

2010-04-02T16:29:00.000+05:30

Shoaib Malik’s family remains unfazed with MA Siddiqui’s threats to sue the former Pakistani captain
Hyderabad-based MA Siddiqui has threatened to take Shoaib Malik to court to ensure that the former Pakistani captain divorce Ayesha before tying the knot with Sania Mirza on April 15. But the Malik household remains unfazed by this news. While Shoaib’s sister (Shazia Imran) is busy shopping and is in two minds deciding on which gold ornament she must get for her sister-in-law, Shoaib’s brother-in-law, Imran Zafar, is in Lahore to choose the wedding card.

Speaking on Siddiqui’s threat, Imran says, “We aren’t disturbed at all. The wedding preparations are going on fine. We went down to Hyderabad in the middle of March to ask for Sania’s hand. When they accepted the proposal, it’s evident that they must have done all the homework that was required before agreeing to get their daughter married off. We still maintain that Shoaib was duped and shown pictures of another girl posing as Ayesha. We have all those pictures of the girl who posed as Ayesha. Last time around, when the issue was raised, we had decided not to release those pictures to the media because it involved the privacy of a lady. But we can’t be soft all the time.”
But what about the clips of Shoaib being interviewed by Arun Lal post an Indo-Pak match where he accepted congratulations for his wedding after having won the match in his wife’s city? “Shoaib was madly in love with a girl whose pictures were sent to him. But that girl wasn’t Ayesha. Shoaib was trapped. Ayesha would tutor him online and have him parrot the line that they were married at some select interviews. The Arun Lal interview was a result of Ayesha Siddiqui tutoring Shoaib,” Imran adds.
While the Ayesha episode might be past for the Maliks, the family is equally cool about Sania’s ex-factor, Sohrab Mirza. “It’s their personal matter. But we don’t want to dwell on the past,” Imran says.
The family, including Shoaib’s mother Farooq Sultana, isn’t bothered about Sania’s hemline controversies either. “My mother-in-law understands that a short skirt is a sportsgirl’s uniform. We are not conservative enough to get perturbed with all that. Right now, our only concern is the wedding,” Imran avers.
While on the wedding, members of the Malik family are expecting to get their visa in a day or two. “We will be in Hyderbad on April 15 for the wedding. We are still deciding on whether to host the Pakistani reception in Lahore or Sialkot. As for the guestlist, there’s Bhajji, Viru and Ashish Nehra. My son (Shoaib’s nephew) is a huge fan of Team Kolkata. We will be inviting SRK. The rest on the guestlist will be decided once Shoaib returns to Pakistan. There’ll be no reception in Dubai,” Imran informs.
Finally, what about rumours claiming that Imran is tweeting on Shoaib’s behalf? “Shoaib isn’t on Twitter. We are so busy with the wedding preparations now that we haven’t yet had the time to figure out who is tweeting on Shoaib’s behalf,” Imran signs off.

I was never seeing Shoaib Malik: Sayali Bhagat

2010-04-02T16:21:00.000+05:30

Mumbai: Three days after the news of Sania Mirza marrying Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik broke out, the latter’s reported ex-girlfriend Sayali Bhagat also broke her silence. And what she told us was shocking to say the least.
“I was never seeing Shoaib. I met him when we both had signed a film together. When a film rolls out, there is always gossip about the lead pair seeing or dating each other and that happened to both of us too. Though the controversy was not true, I enjoyed the attention. In our profession any news is publicity, but now I had to come out and clarify the rumours because it was going way above my head. My family has been getting incessant calls and is being harassed for no fault of their own,” Sayali says.

What she says only brings out the workings of Bollywood today. She admits she is now paying the price of the publicity machinery that makes sure the spotlight is maintained on the film.

“What I am facing today is the price of publicity. I was dating someone else when the rumour of Shoaib and me broke and my relationship was affected,” she says.

She also reveals to us how this gossip about her getting married took shape. “I got to know Shoaib when we were offered a film together. Despite agreeing to the offer, the producer and director (Wilson Louis) could not sell Shoaib as he was a Pakistani cricketer. Meanwhile, 26/11 happened which meant the production house could not market Shoaib as a hero at any cost. I’m just 24 and there is lots of time to get married. I’m not desperate to get married,” she says.

She adds, “Whenever I met Shoaib, I never met him alone. But gossip happened and any news is publicity for a film. So, I was silent but I am glad that I’ve spoken the truth today. It was required to stop speculations.”