Karachi:
Is Pakistan pinning its tennis hopes on its cricketer Shoaib Malik's marriage plans? (
See: The Sania-Shoaib story in pics)
Would seem so from the words of the chief of Pakistan's tennis federation Senator Dilawar Abbas, who is quoted to have urged India's tennis ace Sania Mirza to play for Pakistan after tying the knot with Shoaib. (
Read: Sania-Shoaib wedding on April 11)
Pakistani newspaper "The News" quoted Dilawar as saying in an interview that he hoped Sania would become a Pakistani national and play for that country.
He also had a reason to furnish for his being so hopeful: "Asian women traditionally follow their husbands which is why I'm hopeful that someday she would be inspired by Shoaib to play for Pakistan," he was quoted as saying.
Dilawar's hopes, of course, are likely to remain in the realm of fantasy. Sania has made it very clear that she will continue to play for India after marriage. On Wednesday, she also told NDTV that in an India-Pakistan cricket match, she would continue to support India. And that Sachin Tendulkar was her favourite cricketer, not husband-to-be Shoaib Malik.
In the course of the same interview though, Dilawar seemed to temper his expectations. The newspaper quoted him as saying that even if Sania stuck to her decision of playing for India, he would be looking forward to her involvement in Pakistan tennis at some point in time.
"She can encourage our girls to take up tennis, she can inspire them to become world class players," he said.