KARACHI: The Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) had spent Rs1.6 million by sending four players and an official on the Fed Cup sojourn to Astana, Kazakhstan, recently where it suffered humiliation losing all its group matches like novices.

Pakistan quartet which comprised Ushna Suhail, Sara Mansoor, Maheen Dada and Rida Khalid, was blanked by New Zealand 3-0 in the opener followed by straight loss again at the hands of India. Pakistan rounded off their engagements losing 1-2 to Iran in the third and last fixture.

Thanks to Ushna Suhail, who accounted for Ghazaleh Torkaman 6-3, 6-2 in the opening singles before the team succumbed to Iran.

It is pertinent to mention that the incumbent PTF president Syed Kaleem Imam started sending teams in the Fed Cup since 2011 after almost a decade aimed to provide exposure to women’s players.

“Though Pakistan team lost, they learnt many a lessons by playing against some of the world’s best players during the event,” the PTF chief told Dawn.

Making comparison of other countries of the region with Pakistan he said competition is tough at the international level, tennis academies abroad are well-established and international events are held there regularly, whereas we haven’t had any since 2008 due to security concern.

“Enough funds imbibed by full time commitment by players emanate talent and perfection to excel and to sustain at the top level is need of the hour to come up to the mark,” he concluded.

Results: New Zealand bt Pakistan 3-0 Dianne Hollands bt Ushna Suhail 6-1, 6-0; Marina Erakovic bt Sara Mansoor 6-0, 6-1; Abigail Guthrie and Emma Hayman bt Maheen Dada and Rida Khalid 6-0, 6-1.

India bt Pakistan 3-0 Prarthana G. Thombare bt Ushna Suhail 6-0, 6-1; Ankita Raina bt Sara Mansoor 6-1, 6-2; Rishika Sunkara and Prarthana G. Thombare bt Sara Mansoor and Ushna Suhail 6-2, 6-1.

Iran bt Pakistan 2-1 Ghazaleh Torkaman lost to Ushna Suhail 3-6, 2-6; Sahar Amini Hajibashi bt Sara Mansoor 6-3, 6-1; Sahar Amini Hajibashi and Ghazal Pakbaten bt Sara Mansoor and Ushna Suhail 7-6(8), 3-6, 7-5.