Azharuddin denies having met Shoaib Malik, Ayesha Siddiqui

New Delhi, Apr 5 (ANI): Former Indian cricket skipper Mohammed Azharuddin on Monday denied having met Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Malik and Hyderabad girl Ayesha Siddiqui in Saudi Arabia in 2002.

According to one of the friends of Ayesha Siddiqui, Azharuddin and his wife Sangita Bijlani were staying in the same hotel where the Pakistani cricketer and Ayesha were sharing a room after their claimed 'marriage' in 2002.

Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Azharuddin said the last time he visited Saudi Arabia was in 1998 and that his name was being dragged unnecessarily into the controversy.

He also denied having known anyone by the name Siddiqui.

"The last time I was in Saudi Arabia was in 1998. After that I have not been there. I do not know anyone by the name Siddiqui and my name is being dragged into the controversy unnecessarily," said Azharuddin.

"I do not want my name to feature in the controversy anymore because this is misleading the people," he added.

The Siddiqui family has charged Malik with harassing Ayesha, cheating to marry another girl and accused criminal intimidation. They have also filed a case in this regard.

Ayesha has alleged that she and Malik are already married, and, he is marrying ace tennis star Sania Mirza without her consent.

Meanwhile, the Hyderabad Police on Monday questioned Malik for over two hours at Sania's house.

Malik reportedly claimed his signature on the nikhanama was forged.

Earlier, acting on Mohammed Siddiqui's complaint, police asked Malik not to leave the city without their permission and also alerted immigration officials.

A police team has also questioned the Siddiqui family at their residence, following an allegation of forgery levelled by Malik. (ANI)