04 April 2004	Sunday	13 Safar 1425

KARACHI, April 3: Pakistan No 1 tennis player Aisam-ul-Haq's pull out from the Davis Cup tie is not a good omen for the country, said Inam-ul-Haq, non-playing captain and coach of the team, which left for Chinese Taipie on Saturday.

"Aisam's absence will affect Pakistan's performance," he said.

About Aisam's pullout, he said that Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) told him that they had already paid Aisam's outstanding dues. But, he (Aisam) claims $4000 a tie while PTF has given him $2000 a match, he said.

Pakistan, who were thrashed 5-0 by Thailand in Bangkok in the 2004 Davis Cup Asia Oceania Group-I opening round match earlier this year, should beat Chinese Taipei to maintain their place in the Group-I tournament next year. Both the teams are higher ranked than Pakistan and Chinese Taipei. New Zealand had beaten Pakistan 5-0 in a Davis Cup tie held in Hamilton last year.

Inam said that even without Aisam the current Pakistan team that includes Aqeel Khan, Asim Shafiq and Shahzad Khan is capable of beating their opponents.

The four-member Pakistan team, which prepared for the tie at a training camp in Islamabad, left for Chinese Taipei late on Saturday, four days before the start of the match. Former Davis Cupper Inamul Haq will be team's coach.-PPI