October 22, 2007	Monday	Shawwal 9, 1428

KARACHI, Oct 21: Pakistan’s top tennis stars Aisamul Haq and Nida Waseem are likely to represent the country in the second Pakistan-India tennis series to be played next month.“Aisam has given his consent while efforts are afoot to acquire the services of Nida who is studying Bar at Law in London,” secretary, Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF), Major (retd) Rashid Khan, told Dawn on Sunday. The first of the four-match series will be played at Lahore on Nov 13-14 followed by the second at Islamabad on Nov 15-16.Pakistan team will travel to India sometime next year to play the return games, he added.

Launched last year, the inaugural four-Test series between the two foes ended in a stalemate. Pakistan won at Lahore and Chandigarh while India neutralized it with triumphs at Islamabad and Delhi.According to format, two men’s singles, a doubles, a ladies’ singles and a mixed doubles matches will be played at each venue.

The secretary said a five-member Pakistan team comprising three men and two ladies will be announced in a week’s time. India, he said, are likely to submit the lineup in a day or two which is pre-requisite for getting visa.

He said a Futures tournament is currently in progress in Islamabad followed by the two in Lahore which ends a day before the Pakistan-India series.These events will hone the home players enormously for the Indian challenge, he remarked.

“Nida, who was bestowed with the Pride of Performance earlier this year, is considering the offer and will inform whether she can spare time out of her final year studies or not,” her family sources told Dawn.