PTI
 
Islamabad, Aug 12: Indian star Sania Mirza is likely to get an invitation from Pakistan to add glamour quotient to a bilateral tennis series later this year.
 
According to local media, Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) officials are planning to invite Sania to play a mixed doubles event with Indian great Leander Paes and the country's new tennis star Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and Nida Waseem.

"It'll be cool. I mean such a competition can really help raise the profile of tennis in Pakistan," said Aisam, who reached the second round of Wimbledon and then won a hat-trick of ATP Challenger titles with Indian partner Rohan Bopanna.

Aisam said even Sania was very keen on visiting Pakistan, where she had been on two occasions as a junior player.

"I met Sania during Wimbledon and she sounded very interested in coming to Pakistan and play tennis here. She is often told about her following in this country and wants to experience it for herself," he was quoted as saying by The News.

Aisam, ranked number 154 in the world, said that he would love to be a part of such an event but pointed out that it will all depend on his own international commitments.

"I hope they (PTF) find suitable dates for the (India-Pak) series because last year it became tough for me to take part in it," he said.

Pakistani and Indian tennis officials have decided to separate the two legs and now the 2007 series will only be held in Pakistan. Next year, India will host the series.

"It is a good move. Last year, it was really tough to play the series in four different cities without many rest days. I played and won most of my matches but by the end of it, I was quite drained."