KARACHI: Pakistan-born Australian player Rameez Junaid will be playing for Pakistan in the 2011 Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Zone Group II against Hong Kong that kicks off from March 4 till 6.
The Pakistan Tennis Federation had contacted the player on the request of Aisamul Haq Qureshi to play the Davis Cup ties but Junaid, who has been living and playing tennis in Australia for more than 15 years, was taking his time in considering the offer.
“Junaid will come to Lahore and join the camp later this month,” PTF Secretary Mumtaz Yousuf told The Express Tribune. “He has confirmed that he will be representing Pakistan in the Davis Cup on Sunday and we are happy to give him the spot since we need more experienced players who can win us matches in the Davis Cup ties. He also hasn’t been able to represent a country in the international arena till now.”
The PTF will be sending Qureshi and Aqeel Khan as the top two players, while Junaid will be the third. Meanwhile the last player will be selected after the three-day trials that will take place from Tuesday. Yousuf said that PTF selectors have picked under-18 players Muhammad Abid and Heera Ashiq to participate during the trials, where the country’s top-eight players will compete with each other to book a place in the team.
Meanwhile, Khan said that Junaid’s inclusion in the Davis Cup team was positive for Pakistan as the Australian player’s consistency will strengthen the team in Hong Kong.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 7th, 2011.
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