The eighth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy is starting from June 1 in England and Wales but for many, the tournament will begin on June 4 when arch-rivals India and Pakistan will lock horns against each other in Birmingham.

Arguably, the most fierce rivalry in world cricket, the Indo-Pak matches have always garnered a huge attention and the fixture attracts, even more interest now since both the nations don’t play each other on a regular basis due to escalating political tensions.

They have not played a full bilateral Test series since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks which led to the suspension of cricketing ties between the two countries.

They played a short series of three ODIs and two T20I’s matches in India in December 2012 but otherwise, they have met only in ICC-organised events or the Asia Cup. And so it is highly unlikely that there would be anyone who would be giving the upcoming match between the great rivals a miss.

But then there are some people who will have to miss the cracker of a match due to their commitments and one of those handful people is Indian tennis star, Sania Mirza. Married to Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik, Sania has always been an avid cricket follower. The match between her country and her husband’s cricket might have put her in a great dilemma in the past but she has always handled the situation in a brilliant manner.

The tennis sensation has always reiterated that she supports India but hopes for her husband to do well.

Anyway, Sania would not be seen in the stands in the upcoming match according to the reports. Pakistani news outlet Geo News has reported that Sania will not be able to attend the high-profile encounter. The news was confirmed by her husband Shoaib Malik during an interview with the news outlet.

The Pakistan batsman said that Sania would be missing the match for the upcoming French Open which is scheduled to start from May 28.