The Pakistani pair overcame their opponents in two hours and 30 minutes and go into the reverse doubles confident of securing the win.
“It was my best match in years,” Aqeel told The Express Tribune from New Zealand. “We needed to win the match more than anything else. I am very happy with the way I played and in a way it makes up for my defeat against Jose Statham on the first day. But our real strength has been Aisam.”
Winning the doubles now means that Pakistan would have to win one of the two reverse singles match today to wrap up the win.
Aisam will take on New Zealand’s top seed Statham, while Aqeel will battle out against Venus.
“It is a tough call,” said Aqeel. “It is unfair because both of us have been playing regularly, so in a way we are tired. But the Kiwis are fresh so I do feel a little pressure for my match against Venus and even Aisam would take on Statham, who got a day’s rest. New Zealand have a choice of players while there are only me and Aisam on our side.”
According to Aqeel, Pakistan is heavily depending on Aisam’s win over Statham because if he loses, the Kiwis will be favourites to seal the win.
“If Aisam beats Statham, then we will use Yasir for our last match,” added Aqeel explaining coach and non-playing captain Mushaf Zia’s strategy.
Aqeel had lost the first match against Statham in straight sets, while Aisam overcame Venus in five sets on Friday.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 11th, 2010.
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