‘Pakistan has an edge because of Aisam’

Aqeel says tennis player’s run in Miami good preparation ahead of Davis Cup.

KARACHI: Aisamul Haq Qureshi’s performance at the Miami Masters will give Pakistan an edge, said the country’s top-ranked player Aqeel Khan, as the team leaves for Myanmar today for its Davis Cup tie against New Zealand.

Aisam reached the doubles final in Miami and Aqeel said his performance will give the team confidence and an upper hand against New Zealand in their Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group II tie that starts on April 5 in Yangon.

“The tie is taking place on a neutral venue and that works for us,” Aqeel told The Express Tribune. “Aisam and I are good players on grass courts. Add to this, Aisam is in wonderful form. This gives us a lot of confidence and I believe we have the upper hand against New Zealand.”

Pakistan lost their previous Davis Cup tie against New Zealand in Auckland in 2010 but Aqeel felt that the situation is different this time around. “We were playing on their turf back then. But this time we have an edge. Although I have never played in Myanmar, but our non-playing captain Khalid Siddiq has told us that court conditions there are extremely suitable to our style of play.”



Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka 3-2 in the first round in February and a win  against New Zealand will take them to the semi-final of Group II that will take place in September against either the Philippines or Thailand.

Aqeel, who has been training with reserved players, Yasir Khan and Muhammad Abid in Lahore, was also looking to take advantage of the tie taking place on a neutral venue.

Pakistan  have suffered due to security concerns with the International Tennis Federation (ITF) reluctant to allocate matches to be hosted by the country. However, the Pakistan Tennis Federation managed to convince the ITF on holding the tie on a neutral venue and Aqeel said the team was looking to seize the chance.

“We need to ensure that we take advantage. I’m confident because of our preparations as well. If New Zealand were better than us, they would’ve progressed to Group I. They’ve been stuck in the same group so it will be an interesting and even contest.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 30^th, 2013.