Sania Mirza and Shoaib Malik's wedding to take place today

Courtesy: Timesofindia
The celebrity wedding between tennis star Sania Mirza and Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik took place on Monday (April 12) as the two families advanced the much hyped marriage by three days.

Originally, the marriage was to take place on April 15 although stories on the re-scheduling of the marriage kept coming in the media.

Earlier in the day, Sania's spokesperson Rucha Nayak said the 'nikah' will be performed soon but did not divulge the venue details.

"I will like to confirm that the nikah of Sania Mirza and Shoaib Malik will be taking place shortly. The venue and timing cannot be confirmed as of now due to security reasons," Nayak said.

"This is a very personal thing in Shoaib and Sania's life. We hope you respect the sentiments of their families," she added.

However, sources said the marriage was to be solemnised at 1 pm at Taj Krishna hotel.

Nayak though gave details on the outfits the couple will wear for the nikah.

"Sania will be wearing a red saree that her mother had worn 25 years ago for her own nikah. Shoaib will be wearing a black sherwani which was made by Shantanu and Nikhil," Nayak said.

Giving details of the marriage-related ceremonies she said that 'Mehendi' is scheduled for April 13, Sangeet on April 14 and reception will be held on April 15 as scheduled.

The build up to their marriage has been controversial due to Shoaib's first marriage with a local girl Ayesha Siddiqui.

Ayesha had alleged that Shoaib married her over phone before dumping her without a divorce due to her weight problems.

Shoaib initially denied the allegations and claimed that Ayesha duped him into a phone marriage by sending photographs of a different woman. The all-rounder, however, finally agreed to divorce her after being pressurised by community leaders.

Shoaib Malik has divorced his first wife Ayesha Siddiqui

Shoaib Malik has divorced his first wife Ayesha Siddiqui, ahead of his planned marriage to Indian tennis player Sania Mirza.

Shams Babar, a friend of the Siddiqui family, said Malik had acknowledged his marriage to Ayesha despite earlier denials.

“Both Shoaib and Ayesha have signed the divorce papers today,” says Babar.

Under the compromise, Shoaib will pay Rs 15,000 as maintenance to Ayesha at the rate of Rs 5000 per month for three months as per Sharia (Islamic law), Shafi, Sania's uncle, announced at a joint press conference at the residence of Ayesha Siddiqui.

Ayesha's mother Farisa said as decided by the elders of the community, it (compromise) has been done. I am very happy about it. All community leaders have come to him (Shoaib) to do the settlement and he has done it.

"My daughter had to pass through hardships. Finally justice has been done to my daughter. She is relieved and very happy", she said.

The Siddiqui family last week filed a police complaint against Malik over his plans to wed Mirza.