Shoaib defers his marriage reception

The walima or reception to be hosted by Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik to celebrate his marriage to tennis star Sania Mirza has been deferred to April 27 as his travel plans were upset following the seizure of his passport by Indian authorities.

Shoaib had earlier planned to host the event at Lahore's four-star Pearl Continental Hotel on April 22.

"Shaoib and Sania are expected to arrive in Lahore on April 23 or 24. On April 25, we have arranged a reception in honour of the couple in Sialkot and the walima will be held in Lahore on April 27," Imran Zafar Malik, the brother-in-law of Shoaib, informed.

He said 1,000 guests, including about 30 from India, are expected to attend the event. "Relatives and some friends of Sania bhabhi are scheduled to arrive here on April 26," he said.

Due to an official ban in Punjab province on serving more than one dish at weddings and receptions, a chicken salan, rice and naans will be dished out to the guests. The dessert will include gulab jamuns and rus malai.

The couple is likely to stay in Lahore for a few days. "We have a booking for five nights for the couple," said an official of the Pearl Continental.

Imran Malik said Shoaib and Sania would travel to Dubai from Lahore.