A file photo of Aisamul Haq Qureshi.
Pakistan began their campaign at the tournament when Aqeel Khan won the first rubber against Thangarajah, but Aisam lost to the local top seed Harshana Godamanna the same day in the singles match as the result stood 1-1.
However, Pakistan picked up the pace on the second day with a win in the doubles match which Aisam and Aqeel won in more than two hours against Godamanna and Rajeev Rajapakse 3-2 as Pakistan took the lead 2-1.
But the final day spelt a different story, as Aqeel lost the first reverse singles match to Godamanna 6-4 6-3 6-4 with Sri Lanka levelling the tie score to 2-2, which left all the responsibility to Aisam in the fifth rubber to decide the result.
According to Aqeel, the strategy was to hold up the hosts in the last match as Godamanna was the strongest player for Sri Lanka. Therefore, Pakistan could only take advantage over a weaker link in the opponent’s team. Aisam did just that by winning the decisive rubber in four hours and five minutes against a much younger Thangarajah.
“It was really hot and humid and the weather was certainly not on our side,” Aisam told The Express Tribune. “It was a tough tie
primarily because of the heat but I’m glad we have retained our unbeaten record against Sri Lanka. This should take us ahead in our next round; hopefully we would repeat the same performance.”
Pakistan will play New Zealand – who defeated Lebanon last Saturday 5-0 in their first round tie – in the next round in April.
Pakistan have played three ties against New Zealand
previously and won only one.
According to Aqeel, defeating the Kiwis on their home turf will be
challenging. However, the team will try their best despite being forced to play their home ties away.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 4th, 2013.
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