Ready to pack up their bags to go to Pakistan, Sania Mirza and Shoaib Malik gave an exclusive interview to India TV special correspondent Srinivas Reddy at the former's residence in Hyderabad.
Looking relaxed, Sania said: “The best things I liked about him are: his simplicity, honesty, his gutsiness (khuddaar), he's very caring and humorous…Of course, I don't like his poor jokes.”
Sania added: “He came here, faced everything like a true man, stood up to every thing and did not say, I am fed up, I am leaving”
Shoaib Malik rejected the contention of some people who have been saying Sania is now “Pakistan Ki Bahu”. “She is not Pakistan's bahu, she is my wife, she is my family's bahu. She will, Inshallah, continue to play for India and our family will support her.”
Describing their first meeting, Shoaib said, he met Sania when he had gone with his team mates to Hobart, Australia, to an Indian restaurant and there Sania was having her meals. Added Sania: “It was a coincidence. None of use knew we were going to meet.”
Who proposed first, you or Shoaib? To this question, Sania quipped: “Why should I tell? At least we will not disclose this on TV.”
A tired-looking Shoaib said: “I haven't addressed more press conferences in my last two years as Pakistani skipper that during these few days of my marriage.”
The couple refused to disclose details about their honeymoon saying they would plan it after the two receptions in Pakistan are over.
Asked why they chose Dubai as their residence after marriage, Shoaib said: “All our home series matches are being played in Dubai. Moreover it is nearer to both our countries. As long as we are together, we will stay together, whether it is in India, or Pakistan or Dubai.” Added Sania: “Dubai is a home away from home for us.”
Watch out for the Sania-Shoaib reception in Sialkot on April 25 and the glittering walima in Lahore on April 27.
