February 15, 2006	Wednesday	Muharram 16, 1427

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KARACHI, Feb 14: Manager of the Pakistan Davis Cup team, Saeed Hai, has praised the courageous spirit of his players who went down fighting 2-3 to Chinese Taipei in the Asia Oceania zone group one first round tie at the latter’s soil.

‘They went down to a superior outfit after surprising the pundits of the game by taking a 2-1 lead,’ he said on Tuesday.

Taiwan’s No 1 player was ranked 87 and NO 2 150 whereas Aisamul Haq Qureshi and Aqeel Khan were much lower in ranking at 450 and 1000 plus, he said.

The former Davis Cupper said playing according to his strategy, Aisam went on to beat Ti Chen in the singles to give a good start to Pakistan.

Similarly, Pakistani pair applied attacking strategy in the doubles which paid them off giving a commendable 2-1 lead in the match, he remarked.

He pointed out that Taiwanei rested Ti Chen in the doubles by giving chance to a good server.

Though Aisam and Aqeel fought gallantly in the reverse singles despite strong breeze but they were exhausted after having gone through more then five hours battle in doubles a day earlier.

He was critical about the criticism in press by former players turned coaches. ‘How many players they have produced in the last seven years,’ he questioned.