Sania Mirza thrilled after Shoaib Malik scores first century in six years

Tennis ace says she is happy for her husband and belief does wonders

Tennis ace Sania Mirza was thrilled when her husband, Shoaib Malik, scored his first international century in six years to help Pakistan outbat Zimbabwe in the first day-night international by 41 runs in Lahore on Tuesday.

Unable to curtail her excitement, Mirza took to Twitter to congratulate the skipper.

“So happy for you .. Belief does wonders,” she said.

Allhamdulillah 😊 @realshoaibmalik so happy for you .. Belief does wonders .. pic.twitter.com/blP4NNr6vQ

— Sania Mirza (@MirzaSania) May 26, 2015

Malik, playing his first one-day after two years, notched up a 76-ball 112 with 12 fours and two sixes to steer Pakistan to 375-3 -- their highest against Zimbabwe -- before restricting the tourists to 334-5 in 50 overs at Gaddafi Stadium.

The former cricket captain has also been supportive of his wife's achievements and said he was proud his wife Sania Mirza had become the world’s top-ranked doubles tennis player, adding it was an honour for both countries.

Read: Hubby Shoaib Malik calls India's Mirza pride of Pakistan

Mirza, 28, became the first Indian woman to achieve the feat after winning the Charleston title on Sunday while partnering with Swiss star Martina Hingis.

“I am extremely proud and overwhelmed with joy,” Malik had told AFP. “It’s a matter of pride for Pakistan as she is my wife and, of course, she is from India and she represents her nation with 100 percent determination to be the best.”

The cricketer last played an ODI back in June 2013 during the Champions Trophy against India.

Earlier, Malik scored his first century since his three-figure knock against India at Centurion in September 2009.

Malik built on a confident 170-run opening stand between Mohammad Hafeez (86) and skipper Azhar Ali (79) as Pakistan improved on their previous best total against Zimbabwe of 349 at Jamaica in 2007.

Malik's hundred -- his first in 31 innings and since September 2009 -- came off 70 balls as Pakistan added 112 in the last 10 overs.

Malik, 33, was dismissed off the last delivery, caught in the covers off Tinashe Panyangara.

Read: Shoaib encouraged me to pick up a racquet again: Sania Mirza

Malik had been part of a 201-run stand with Haris Sohail (89 not out), a new record for the third wicket against Zimbabwe beating the 145 runs which Javed Miandad and Amir Sohail put on at Hobart in 1992.

Sohail's knock came off 66 balls with six boundaries and two sixes.

Zimbabwe are the first major team to tour Pakistan since terrorist attacks on the Sri Lankan team bus in March 2009 led to the suspension all international cricket in the country.

Massive security continued to be deployed at the stadium and for the teams, with 24,000 people watching the match. The next two matches will be played on Friday and Sunday -- also in Lahore.