Sports

Sania Mirza thrilled on hubby’s first ODI century in 6 years

LAHORE: Tennis ace Sania Mirza was thrilled when her husband, Shoaib Malik, scored his first international century in six years to help Pakistan outbat Zimbabwe in the first day-night international by 41 runs in Lahore on Tuesday.

Unable to curtail her excitement, Mirza took to Twitter to congratulate the skipper.

“So happy for you .. Belief does wonders,” she said.

By AFP
May 27, 2015
LAHORE: Tennis ace Sania Mirza was thrilled when her husband, Shoaib Malik, scored his first international century in six years to help Pakistan outbat Zimbabwe in the first day-night international by 41 runs in Lahore on Tuesday.

Unable to curtail her excitement, Mirza took to Twitter to congratulate the skipper.

“So happy for you .. Belief does wonders,” she said.




Malik, playing his first one-day after two years, notched up a 76-ball 112 with 12 fours and two sixes to steer Pakistan to 375-3 — their highest against Zimbabwe — before restricting the tourists to 334-5 in 50 overs at Gaddafi Stadium.

The former cricket captain has also been supportive of his wife’s achievements and said he was proud his wife Sania Mirza had become the world’s top-ranked doubles tennis player, adding it was an honour for both countries.

Mirza, 28, became the first Indian woman to achieve the feat after winning the Charleston title on Sunday while partnering with Swiss star Martina Hingis.

“I am extremely proud and overwhelmed with joy,” Malik had told AFP. “It’s a matter of pride for Pakistan as she is my wife and, of course, she is from India and she represents her nation with 100 percent determination to be the best.”

The cricketer last played an ODI back in June 2013 during the Champions Trophy against India.

Earlier, Malik scored his first century since his three-figure knock against India at Centurion in September 2009.

Malik built on a confident 170-run opening stand between Mohammad Hafeez (86) and skipper Azhar Ali (79) as Pakistan improved on their previous best total against Zimbabwe of 349 at Jamaica in 2007.

Malik’s hundred — his first in 31 innings and since September 2009 — came off 70 balls as Pakistan added 112 in the last 10 overs.

Malik, 33, was dismissed off the last delivery, caught in the covers off Tinashe Panyangara.