April 5, 2002	Friday	Muharram 21, 1423

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window)

LAHORE, April 4: Pakistan Thursday left out country’s top ranked player Asim Shafik against Taiwan in the Davis Cup Asia Oceania Grade-II tie to be played at Bagh-i-Jinnah from April 5 to 7.

According to the draws released Thursday, Pakistan  No. 2 Aqeel Khan was drawn to face Taiwanese No. 1 Wei Jen Cheng in the  first singles at 10am with Aisam-ul-Haq faces taking on Wen Lung Chang in the second single. Aisam with Aqeel as its partner will tackle Chia Che Liu and Simon Shen in the doubles Saturday at 12 noon.

Aisam faces Wei and Aqeel tackles Wen in the reverse singles Sunday at 10am.

When asked about the surpris omission of Shafique, Pakistan’s non-playing-captain Rasheed Malik said that during the training camp Aqeel had the beating of Asim. Keeping in view that performance, Aqeel was preferred over Asim, Rasheed said.

However, Rasheed said there was likelihood of pairing Asim with Aisam for the doubles clash. Similarly, Nomi Qamar who is included in the four-member team of Pakistan has also not considered either for singles or doubles.

All the decision had been taken with the mutual consent of the team management and players, claimed Rasheed.

Commenting on the outcome of the Davis Cup tie Rasheed said he rated Pakistan’s chances as high as 60-40. All will depend on the first day’s singles clashes which we hope to win. “Once we have taken 2-0 lead there are very bright chances of Pakistan’s win”, he said.

The  captain, however, said that he considered  this  tie more tough than the next round which would either be against  China or Kazakhstan in case Pakistan overcomes Taiwan.

On the contrary the visitors are giving opportunity to all its four players. “I have full confidence on my all players and hopefully they will deliver the goods”, Taiwan’s non-playing-captain Tung Shih Neng told Dawn.

Neng said that the competition would be a tough one. “Though we won the previous two clashes against Pakistan by identical margin of 3-2 on our territory. But this time we are meeting Pakistan on its soil an on different sort of surface”, Neng added.