Tennis: Pakistan confident of Davis Cup win over New Zealand
Coach hopes Aisamul Haq will continue his latest form.
Aisamul Haq Qureshi. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
Pakistan's Davis Cup coach Mohammad Khalid Saturday said he was confident his team would win against New Zealand in their Oceania Group II match in Myanmar next week.
Pakistan have been forced to play their home ties at neutral venues since 2010, due to security fears in the country after gunmen attacked the Sri Lankan cricket team bus in March 2009.
That terrorist attack led to the suspension of all international sporting activities in Pakistan as teams refused to tour the country.
Pakistan requested the International Tennis Federation stage its tie in Myanmar, where Khalid feels grass courts will favour his players.
"Grass courts suit our players and I am confident that our team will win the tie," Khalid told AFP from Lahore, from where the team will depart on Sunday.
The tie will be played from April 5-7 and a win would give Pakistan the chance to play the group semi-final in September against the winners of the other second-round tie between Thailand and the Philippines.
Pakistan will be represented by top doubles player Aisamul Haq Qureshi, as well as Aqeel Khan, Yasir Khan and Mohammad Abid.
Khalid hopes Aisam continues his latest form, which has seen him through to Saturday's doubles final at the Sony Open in Miami, where he is partnering Dutchman Jean-Julien Rojer.
"He (Aisam) is playing well and that's a good sign for us, and besides that other players have also prepared well," said Khalid.
New Zealand beat Pakistan 3-2 in their last Davis Cup meeting in 2010.
Pakistan's Davis Cup coach Mohammad Khalid Saturday said he was confident his team would win against New Zealand in their Oceania Group II match in Myanmar next week.
Pakistan have been forced to play their home ties at neutral venues since 2010, due to security fears in the country after gunmen attacked the Sri Lankan cricket team bus in March 2009.
That terrorist attack led to the suspension of all international sporting activities in Pakistan as teams refused to tour the country.
Pakistan requested the International Tennis Federation stage its tie in Myanmar, where Khalid feels grass courts will favour his players.
"Grass courts suit our players and I am confident that our team will win the tie," Khalid told AFP from Lahore, from where the team will depart on Sunday.
The tie will be played from April 5-7 and a win would give Pakistan the chance to play the group semi-final in September against the winners of the other second-round tie between Thailand and the Philippines.
Pakistan will be represented by top doubles player Aisamul Haq Qureshi, as well as Aqeel Khan, Yasir Khan and Mohammad Abid.
Khalid hopes Aisam continues his latest form, which has seen him through to Saturday's doubles final at the Sony Open in Miami, where he is partnering Dutchman Jean-Julien Rojer.
"He (Aisam) is playing well and that's a good sign for us, and besides that other players have also prepared well," said Khalid.
New Zealand beat Pakistan 3-2 in their last Davis Cup meeting in 2010.