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| January 22, 2003 | Wednesday | Ziqa’ad 18, 1423 |
PTF likely to name squad today
ISLAMABAD, Jan 21: Pakistan Tennis Federation is likely to finalise its national squad on Wednesday for the next month’s Davis Cup tie against New Zealand.
“PTF President is expected to name the team on Wednesday after his return from Lahore”, according to a PTF source.
Pakistan squad is scheduled to travel to New Zealand to play the Asia- Oceania Zone, Group-1, tie against New Zealand in the city of Hamilton.
At least four players and two officials will make up the Pakistan squad which will take on New Zealand on Feb 7-9.
As many as five players are currently attending a national training camp at PTF Complex clay courts here.
However, the tie for selection is for two berths as Aisamul Haq and Aqeel Khan are exempted from trials, leaving it a race among the remaini ng four—Nomi Qamar, Asim Shafik, Shehzad Khan and Shehzad Samad Khan.
A six member PTF selection committee, headed by Khwaja Saeed Hai, failed o reach a consensus on the choice of the two players from amongst the remaining four.
Consequently, PTF President Syed Dilawar Abbas was called upon to exercise his discretionary powers for selection of the Pakistan team for the
Aisam is currently abroad playing international tennis. Former Davis Cupper Muhammad Khalid, now acting as coach at the training camp, is expected to accompnay the team to New Zealand as non-playing captain.
A manager, also to be named with the players on Wednesday, will be the second official in the touring squad.
The tie against New Zealand was originally scheduled to be held in Pakistan but ITF Davis Cup Committee and Appeal Board both asked it to be shifted to New Zealand, allocating the choice of court to Pakistan.—APP
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