Davis Cup: Aqeel confident ahead of ‘difficult’ tie

Pakistan take on Hong Kong on April 7 in Islamabad

KARACHI: Pakistan will take on Hong Kong in their next Davis Cup Asia-Oceania round two tie and the country’s most seasoned player, Aqeel Khan, believes it will be tough to beat the visitors in the tie that begins on April 7 in Islamabad.

International tennis returned to Pakistan in February as Pakistan hosted their first tie at home in 12 years, winning 3-2 against Iran in the first round.

Before that, Pakistan played their ties either on a neutral venue or had to concede their home advantage to the opponents. However, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) approved Islamabad as the venue for February and have also allowed the next tie in the capital.

For Aqeel, who has played 48 ties under his belt for Pakistan, home advantage is very helpful and he is hoping to win the tie against Hong Kong since that will push the team into the final of Group II.

“Hong Kong are going to be really tough side,” Aqeel told The Express Tribune. “They’ve defeated Vietnam, who were seeded fourth in the group, so of course they will be coming with a lot of confidence too. It will not be easy for us, but certainly playing on the grass courts of Islamabad will give us the edge.”

The Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) collaborated with the Pakistan Sports Board to make new grass courts in the Pakistan Sports Complex, to ensure that facilities are top-notch and future ties can be held in the country as well.

The players will begin their national camp training on March 22, but Aqeel said he is constantly practicing.

“We are all very excited for it, and I make sure that I train every day, it is important to stay physically fit,” he said. “We are practicing on grass courts regularly. On grass, the points are shorter and your skilled are tested more; so it is good to practice as much as we can. The camp should be good too but we are experienced enough to train on our own till then.”

Pakistan will be fielding Aqeel, Aisamul Haq Qureshi, Muhammad Abid Mushtaq and Yasir Khan who replaces Muhammad Abid Ali Akbar.

“Akbar opted out of the tie, but he isn’t much of a grass player either, so we’ll manage,” he said. “I feel Aisam and I will have to ensure that the team wins the singles rubbers on the first day. That will set the tone for us.”

Pakistan are the top seeds in Group II and will face either the Philippines or Thailand in the final of the group in Islamabad if they defeat Hong Kong.