Karachi:
The mudslinging is over and it's time to celebrate now, said Shoaib Malik's teammates and other Pakistani cricketers as they welcomed his decision to divorce Ayesha Siddiqui after a bitter row, paving the way for his marriage with Indian tennis star Sania Mirza.
"I am happy for Shoaib and Sania that they are getting married because whatever was happening in the last few days in this issue was very sad and in bad taste," said fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar.
"The way things went and were portrayed in the last one week brought a bad name to Pakistan and was also spoiling image of India, so it is good this controversy is now over," he added.
Pakistan's chief selector Mohsin Khan said he was relieved that the issue had been resolved amicably between Shoaib, who will marry Sania on April 15, and the Siddiquis.
"A marriage is a time for celebration and joy and unfortunately in this particular case things had really gotten out of hand and the way the media has projected the whole affair disappointed many people," he said.
Pakistani all-rounder Abdul Razzaq, meanwhile, reiterated that he had never met Ayesha even when the team had gone for a reception at the Siddiqui household in 2005.
"But the issue was getting on everyone's nerves and the mud slinging was distasteful. So it is good all this is now over and Shoaib and Sania's marriage will finally take place," he said.
Former Test player Basit Ali said Shoaib's flip-flops on the matter still leave a lot of questions unanswered but he was glad that the war of words was finally over.
"Only God knows the real truth and it is his personal matter but it is good that he and Sania can now get married peacefully and everyone can celebrate their wedding," he stated.
Pakistani pacer Umar Gul said he was happy to learn the controversy has ended as he felt bad for both the parties.
"Something like this is never good for anyone but it is now over and I wish Shoaib and Sania a lot of happiness and happy marriage," he said.
Former captain Rashid Latif, who caused a stir by stating that Ayesha was not the girl Shoaib chatted with on the internet, said he was happy the issue had been resolved.
"Only the families involved know what happened but it is good elders got involved and ended this controversy which was bad for Pakistan and India and must have caused lot of hurt to everyone involved in it," Rashid said.
Pakistan's coach Waqar Younis also said the way the whole issue was being presented in the media was sad and disgraceful and not good for anyone including Malik.