Sania’s rise to World No. 1 spurs comeback king Malik

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Pakistan batsman Shoaib Malik said his sparkling double hundred against England was inspired by seeing his Indian wife Sania Mirza sweep to a series of tennis titles in 2015.

Malik hit a career-best 245 to cap a remarkable return to Test cricket after five years on the sidelines and four days after Mirza clinched the China Open in Beijing alongside Martina Hingis.

Since returning to the limited overs squad in May, Malik has been averaging 100 in ODIs, rousing performances which earned him a test recall.

Now he is happily competing for bragging rights with his wife, who this year has collected Grand Slam doubles titles with Hingis at Wimbledon and the US Open.

She has also won tour crowns at Indian Wells, Miami, Charleston, Guangzhou, Wuhan and Beijing.

“A double hundred does not come every day,” Malik said.

“Naturally when Sania wins in tennis, it motivates me a lot and inspires me to do well in cricket.

“It’s healthy that both husband and wife play sports. On my double hundred, she was ecstatic much like the same way I celebrate her wins,” said Malik.

“I feel so proud of her,” said Malik. “I have uploaded the software on my mobile to keep updated on her matches and she always says that cricket is her favourite sport.”

Malik only returned to the Test side after regular number three Azhar Ali was ruled out of the game in Abu Dhabi with a foot injury.

 

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