PHOTO: FILE
China had sealed the win on day two as they claimed an unassailable 3-0 lead after winning the doubles rubber. They piled further misery on Pakistan on day three as Mohammad Abid lost 6-1, 6-0 to Di Wu, and Yasir Khan was outplayed by Ze Zhang 6-3, 6-0 in the singles rubbers.
According to team captain Aisamul Haq Qureshi, Pakistan’s aim will now be to survive in Group I, having earned promotion from Group II after nine years.
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“It is about staying in this group now,” Aisam told The Express Tribune. “It’s not easy to play in Group I. China were clearly the better side. It is disappointing for us. We fought hard on the first two days. And we had our setbacks.”
Aisam added that Samir Iftikhar and Abid Ali Akbar, who supported the team in Group I ties last year were both injured, which meant Pakistan were always up against it.
“We had made the game plan keeping Samir and Akbar in mind; their absence affected the game, hopefully they will be available for the next tie,” said Aisam.
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Pakistan will now face New Zealand away in the relegation tie that will take place in September.
Aisam knows it won’t be easy in New Zealand but feels that the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) has six months to prepare a good side.
“Playing New Zealand on their home ground will be tough,” he said. “We are the two weakest teams in the group. PTF needs to send the players to different tournaments before the tie, and get Samir and Akbar in shape.”
Published in The Express Tribune, March 7th, 2016.
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