Pakistan beat Lithuania in Davis Cup

Aisam leads country to 3-2 win after prevailing in decisive singles of Group I playoff

KARACHI:

Aqeel Khan and Aisamul Haq Qureshi’s heroics helped Pakistan win their Davis Cup World Group I playoff against Lithuania 3-2 in a thrilling tie at the grass courts of Pakistan Sports Complex in Islamabad on Saturday.

Pakistan, seeded ninth, led by the magical duo of Aisam, who is also the captain of the team, and Aqeel, took advantage of the home conditions and gave their all in the doubles rubber against Lithuania’s seasoned players Ricardas Berankis and Laurynas Grigelis for a 6-4, 7-6, 7-5 triumph.

After losing the first set, Aisam and Aqeel made concerted efforts in the following games to give Pakistan a strong start to the day with a 2-1 lead. The match lasted two hours and 14 minutes.

The team picked up from day one when Aqeel started the tie in singles rubber against Gregelis with a 7-6, 3-6, 6-3 win, whi youngster Muhammad Shoaib lost his match against Berankis 4-6, 7-6, 4-6 after putting up a good fight as the two sides closed the day level at 1-1.

When it came to the reverse singles, Aqeel left no stone unturned and took on the task to play despite the lengthy and draining doubles rubber, but the 42-year-old succumbed to a 6-7, 7-6, 4-6 defeat at the hands of Berankis after two hours and 29 minutes. The tie now stood level at 2-2 and went into the fifth and final rubber.

Aisam, like Aqeel, took the court for reverse singles and sealed the win for Pakistan 3-2 with a 6-4, 7-6 victory against Edas Butvilas in an hour and 37 minutes.

Pakistan will play their next tie in September in World Group I.