LAHORE, Sept 20: Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and Aqeel Khan have given Pakistan a 2-1 lead over South Korea by winning the important doubles tie against brothers Chung Hee Sung and Chung Hee Seok on the second day of the Davis Cup Asia Oceania Zone Group I play off at the Defence Club on Saturday.

Pakistan is now only one win away from winning the tie to retain its position in Group I.

Aisam and Aqeel played well as a combination to clinch victory in straight sets after a battle lasting one hour 43 minutes with the scoreline 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.

Aisam and Aqeel both served well and kept the Koreans at bay especially the former who was too good near the net. As senior partner Aisam guided Aqeel well, who had showed great courage against Koreans top seed Kim Young Joon in the second singles before going down on Friday.

Pakistanis managed to break Koreans’ service once in each set while South Koreans failed to break any service.

Later, Pakistan coach Rashid Malik, said that Aisam would play the first reverse singles on Sunday and if he won then he would give a chance either to Nomi Qamar or Jalil Khan in the second reverse singles, the last match of the tie.

Earlier, Pakistan decided to gamble with Aqeel for the doubles after Dr Meesaq Rizvi assured the home team camp about the fitness of the player. Aqeel who faced problem due to cramps in the second singles on Friday, was a doubtful starter for the doubles.

The Koreans, however, decided to field the new pair of Sung and Seok for the doubles, showing their confidence in their ability. Pakistan on the other hand relied on the experience of Aisam and Aqeel on whom they had been depending since 2000.

Pakistan won the toss but decided to receive the service. Seok started the service and clinched it 50-30 to gain 1-0 lead. Aqeel replied from Pakistan and folded the game in rather easy manner finishing it at 50-15 with an ace.

Holding their services both the team were tied at 4-4 before Korean’s Seok came to serve in the ninth game which Pakistan broke to take 5-4 lead. Pakistan led the game from start to finish as the Koreans repeatedly hit the net.

Aqeel served in the 10th game which proved vital as Pakistan wrapped up the first set when Aisam’s powerback forehand shot breezed past Seok. The first set lasted for 30 minutes.

The second set was the repetition of the first as Pakistan again broke Koreans’ serves in the ninth game. This time they broke Sung’s service after two deuces and an advantages.

In the third set Pakistani pair kept up the pressure had earned decisive the break broke Sung’s service in the third game to go ahead 2-1. After a deuce, Pakistan was on advantage and Aqeel sizzling shot past Seok.

Pakistan was again near to break another service in the ninth game but after two deuces Aisam missed two match points to allow the Koreans saved it. But Aqeel held his service in the next at 50-15 with an ace to seal the fate of the match.

Pakistani pair hit 11 aces and double-faulted five times. while the Koreans’ could manage only two aces and it had three double faults.

Commenting on their win after the match Aisam and Aqeel said that they were confident of winning the Davis Cup

Aisam explained that he was physically and mentally fit to win a reverse singles on Saturday after which the home team will take unassailable lead of 3-1 in five match series.

Aisam said that the way Aqeel was playing in tie he was hopeful Pakistan would earn the feat against South Korea after a long lapse of 25 years. Last time, Pakistan beat South Korea was in Peshawar, way back in 1978.

Aqeel also praised Rashid for preparing a hectic training programme during the one-month camp.

Coach Rashid, claimed that after winning the doubles he sees a favourable chance for Pakistan to win the tie.

However, Rashid said that Pakistan should not forget the tie against Taiwan in which it had taken an identical lead but lost the remaining two.

He said that the boys were in good shape and their morale was high at the moment.

To a question, Rashid admitted that the visitors’s negative point was the hot weather as a result of which their performance was being affected.