Davis Cup: Pakistan relegated to Group II

Drop down from Asia Oceania Zone's Group I after 3-0 defeat to New Zealand

KARACHI: Pakistan dropped down back to Group II of the Davis Cup's Asia-Oceania Zone as they lost the third tie against New Zealand in their ongoing Group I campaign.

After suffering back to back defeats on day one, Pakistan were beaten  in the crucial doubles rubber at the Z Energy Wilding Park Tennis Centre, Christchurch on Saturday. This gave New Zealand an unassailable 3-0 lead and prolonged their stay in Group I, while Pakistan were relegated.

With the hosts taking a 2-0 lead on Friday, Pakistan's most seasoned Davis Cup player and captain Aqeel Khan partnered with Abid Ali Akbar on day two against world number 41 doubles player Michael Venus and 56th-ranked Marcus Daniell.

It was crucial for the visitors to win the rubber in order to stay  in the tie. However, the Kiwis dominated the match and took the first set 6-0.

The Pakistani duo managed to hold the second set at 1-1, but Venus and Daniell were unstoppable, carrying on the lead 6-2 and sealing the win in the third set 6-2 to stay in Group I.

Akbar had lost his opening singles match to Jose Statham 6-0, 6-1, 6-4, while Samir Iftikhar was defeated by Finn Tearney 6-2, 6-0, 6-0 with the hosts taking the 2-0 lead on day one.

Coming into this tie, the team was already short on one player after Pakistan’s top player Aisamul Haq Qureshi excused himself from playing the tie due to the bad experience with New Zealand in 2013, when Pakistan were hosting the tie in Myanmar as the neutral venue.

Pakistan were leading that tie 1-0 when the Kiwis complained of unplayable conditions on the court and the umpire declared the tie in New Zealand's favour .

Pakistan were promoted to Group I last year after they won the Group II final against Chinese Taipei 3-2.

Pakistan's attempts to host Davis Cup ties at home have been futile so far, as the International Tennis Federation (ITF) does not consider the country to be a safe venue.

Consequently, Pakistan are forced to either hold their home ties at a neutral venue, or cave in by going to the opponent's turf, like they did this time.

Losing home advantage also means foregoing the choice of surface; Pakistani players prefer playing on grass, but played this tie on indoor hard court as per the hosts' preference.