April 10, 2006	Monday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 11, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, April 9: Pakistan's strategy in the Davis Cup tie against India has come under criticism with a tennis veteran terming it useless. Hameedul Haq said on Sunday that Pakistan could have won the tie in Mumbai had some proper planning and homework been done.

"The way Aqeel (Khan) played in the fifth set against Laender Paes showed that he was not playing his natural game and instead indulged in chips and lobs, an outdated mode of play," the 44-year-old Hameed said.

Pakistan, aiming to stay in the Asia Oceania Group I, lost 2-3 to the hosts in the first playoff and now play China away with relegation looming.

Critics had already pointed out that the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) officials had not gone in for team's proper preparation but had appeared more interested in getting themselves re-elected.

The elections of PTF were held just five days before the crucial tie in which Syed Dilawar Abbas was re-elected for a second term as was the controversial secretary Rashid Khan.

"Pakistan have lost a golden opportunity of beating India who fielded their weakest team in Davis Cup history," Hameed pointed out.

"That we were unable to defeat them was because the PTF officials lacked seriousness and one of the officials made a flawed strategy for the tie."

Aisamul Haq won both of his singles while Aqeel went down in his two matches. In the doubles, the Pakistan pair of Asim Shafik and Jalil Khan were never expected to win.Such was the form of the doubles duo that they lost to discarded Inam Gul and Mehmood Khan in a tournament at home just days before the tie.

"It would have been appropriate if Aqeel and Asim had played the doubles in Mumbai which would have helped Aqeel in understanding Paes's game ahead of his reverse singles match."

Hameed wondered that if the Pakistan management could choose to play Aqeel and Aisam against Chile's Olympic doubles gold Šmedallists in the Davis Cup tie last September, why Aqeel was not put in for the doubles against India."

But Aqeel has not always been treated well by the PTF and has had to miss several opportunities to compete and train abroad, because of false promises and inefficiency of the tennis officials.

He had to miss the Asian Championship in Uzbekistan last year because his passport, despite having a valid visa to travel to that country, had been sent to the Chile Embassy by the PTF. Similarly there have been several other instances where he has had to suffer.

While Aqeel has to look to the PTF for support, Aisam who is supported by his parent most of the time gets all the opportunities to play against quality opposition almost throughout the year.

Aqeel has now lost all six of his singles matches in the last three Davis Cup ties against Chile, Taiwan and India.