"I think that's the first time people got to see what it really is."
Sania Mirza recalled India-Pakistan cricket banter she used to have with her husband Shoaib Malik before their marriage.
The tennis player has made a name for herself on the court, winning six doubles Grand Slam titles.
In an interview with Sportskeeda, Sania recalled her times before her marriage to Shoaib. She also opened up on the banter the couple used to engage in during the India vs Pakistan cricket matches.
Shoaib would point out his record against the Indian team while Sania pledged her alliegence to India.
The couple have been married since 2010 and have one son.
However, the couple have been living separately due to the lockdown. Shoaib had been in Sialkot while Sania was in Hyderabad.
Nevertheless, their relationship remained strong and Sania revealed that her husband is much more talkative than her even though his image is quite different.
“Our relationship is very fun. I think that’s the first time people got to see what it really is.
“We both like to keep it pretty light, and I think it the first time that everybody got to see he is the more talkative one than I am, contrary to the belief in the world.”
Sania went on to talk about the early days of her relationship with Shoaib and how they would be against each other whenever India and Pakistan played against one another.
She said: “For some reason, he loved to play against India. So, when we were dating, whenever we spoke about it, I always used to say, ‘I’ll support India no matter what’.
“And then he used to say, ‘My record against India I want to tell you is the best that I have’.
“He’s been around for a long time and I think he has had an amazing career. I am really proud of him.”
Shoaib is one of Pakistan’s most senior players. In 42 ODIs, Malik has 1,782 runs to his name against India at an impressive average of 46.89 including four centuries.
He has retired from Tests and ODIs but he continues to be a key member of the Pakistan squad in T20Is.
Shoaib is currently in England for Pakistan’s T20I series against the hosts and will be seen in action from August 28, 2020, when the three-match T20I series gets underway after the conclusion of the ongoing Test series.
Meanwhile, Sania Mirza is at home, practising her game and spending quality time with their son Izhaan.
Loading ...