ISLAMABAD, Sept 14: Pakistan's top ranked tennis player Aqeel Khan has improved his international ranking by nearly 200 points within the last two months or so. Aqeel has jumped from No. 581 in the world to 380 after his good performances in a series of international ranking tournaments in recent weeks, according to statistics available here.

"It's a big morale booster for us," said former Pakistan No.1 Inamul Haq who has been appointed coach for the upcoming Davis Cup tie at home against New Zealand. Pakistan will take on Kiwis as the better-ranked side in the Davis Cup playoff of Asia-Oceania Zone, Group-1, at Islamabad Club clay courts from Sept 24 to 26. The winners will stay in Group 1.

"It's perhaps for the first time that Pakistan would be ranked better than any rival in Group 1 of Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Zone," said the coach Inamul Haq with his views also echoed by another former Davis Cupper Rashid Malik who has been nominated non-playing captain for the New Zealand tie.

"We are confident that Aqeel's improved ranking will spur Pakistanis in the tie against New Zealand," the two of them said. New Zealand's best player during the tie will be ranking over-600.

Besides Aqeel, a 24-year-old from Karachi, Pakistan's campaign against New Zealand will also be spearheaded by Aisamul Haq Qureshi who is ranked No. 208 in the world.

Even before his appearances in international ranking competitions, Aqeel had been proving his worth for Pakistan, winning the decisive second reverse singles in the Davis Cup ties at home against China and South Korea, when Aisam had developed cramps and thus bowed out in each of his first reverse singles.

International Tennis Federation holds "Futures" and "Satellite" tournaments in various parts of the world to enable players to gather international ranking points. -APP