January 23, 2007	Tuesday	Muharram 03, 1428

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KARACHI, Jan 22: Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) on Monday abruptly shifted the selection trials of Pakistan Davis Cup team from Karachi to Islamabad, succumbing to players’ criticism of poor surface at the CDGK Sports Complex.

The three-day trials that feature five players — three seniors and two juniors — will now commence from Wednesday, an official of the PTF told Dawn from Islamabad.

Originally, the trials were to take place at the CDGK Sports Complex where all top players of the country featured in a national ranking contest which concluded on Monday. But the participants have protested against the slippery conditions of courts.

The decision to shift venue has drawn severe criticism from tennis fraternity who were of the view that PTF should have changed the venue to Modern Club in the city instead of shifting to the capital. They were of the opinion that climatic conditions at Manila — where Pakistan plays Philippines from Feb 9 to 11 — would be very similar to that in Karachi.

“I’ve booked Modern Club from 9am to 3pm for trials and even informed the PTF president Dilawar Abbas but he was adamant to hold it in the capital,” Saeed Hai, senior vice-president PTF, told Dawn when approached for comments.

National champion Aqeel Khan who has been exempted from trials is due to fly on Wednesday while Asim Shafik and Shehzad Khan have been booked on a flight for Tuesday afternoon. Jalil is the third senior player invited for the trials. The two juniors are Yasir Khan and Tanveer Aashiq.

According to a PTF official, the trials will either take place on the synthetic pitch at POF Wah or on the hard court of sports complex.

Former Davis Cupper Hameedul Haq will take over the reins as coach of the team which leaves for Manila on Feb 2. The selection will be preceded by a short training camp.