April 3, 2006	Monday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 4, 1427

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LAHORE, April 2: Pakistan Davis Cup team left for Mumbai via Karachi on Sunday, for a crucial tie against India in the Asia Oceania Zone Group-I. The tie is scheduled to be played at the grassy courts of Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai from April 7 to 9.

Non-playing captain, Rashid Malik, told Dawn that a doctor was not included in the six-member comprising four players-Aisamul Haq, Aqeel Khan, Asim Shafik, Jalil Khan — the non-playing captain and the manager Naeemullah.

“I don’t know what happened as the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) had contacted Dr Meesaq Rizvi but he is not accompanying the squad,” Rashid, a former Davis Cupper said.

When contacted Meesaq pointed out that the PTF had informed him late and he had some other important assignments.

“The PTF should have contacted me at least a month before but I was informed only last Monday,” he disclosed.

The PTF, he said, had an indifferent attitude as last time it had contacted him a month before leaving for Chile. “I had given my passport to the federation but in the end I was not part of the squad for Chile,”he said.

Asked if a doctor was needed especially for Aisam, who had been facing fitness problems in the Davis Cup tie, Rashid agreed that services of a doctor were very much needed for the squad and now he would have to arrange someone from India.

Aisam and Aqeel Khan, two key players, are used to three-set matches but in the five-set Davis Cup ties a doctor is necessary to take care of the players.

Rashid said India had 60-40 chances for victory due to home conditions and impressive past record against Pakistan.

He said the home team was formidable in doubles with the pair of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi and Pakistan would bank on winning the singles, he said.

He hinted Aisam and Aqeel might not be fielded as doubles’ pair to give them more rest for singles.

He however, said “It is all part of the strategy which can be worked out according to the situation,” he said.

With aging Paes (33 years) and Bhupathi (32), the Indians are not looking so formidable as they have inexperienced Rohan Bopanna (two wins, eight losses in Davis Cup) and Prakash Amritraj (four wins, eight losses).

Rashid, however, was not considering India a weak team saying:” No one can predict anything in the Davis Cup matches and I will not take any match easy.”

Rashid said Aisam had to win both singles as Aqeel had the potential to win one singles. He stressed that the local weather conditions and the home crowd would be a added advantage to the Indian team.

In the past, India has won all five Davis Cup ties against Pakistan. Last time, the two met in 1973, in the Eastern Zone held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with India winning 4-0.

In 1962, India beat Pakistan 5-0 in the first tie, held in Lahore. The following year they won again 4-1 in Pune . In 1964, India thrashed Pakistan 4-0 and in 1970, 3-1.

Squad: Aisamul Haq Qureshi (31 win, 14 losses), Aqeel Khan (18 win, 24 losses), Asim Shafik (eight win, 11 losses), Jalil Khan (no win, two loss).