LAHORE: Pakistan qualified for the final of the Davis Cup Asia Oceania Group-II after 3-1 triumph over hosts Indonesia.

According to a press release issued by the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) on Thursday, Pakistan’s Abid Ali Akbar made it possible when his team with 2-1 lead entered the court with the aim of winning just one reverse singles out of total two.

Abid toppled Indonesian David Susanto 6-0, 7-6, 0-6, 6-2 to earn the feat with Pakistan winning both the singles on the first day of the tie on Tuesday to take a commanding 2-0 lead.

However, they lost the doubles on Wednesday to reduce the lead to 2-1 before completing the win on Thursday.

It is imperative to note that the second reverse singles was not allowed by the ITF match referee, for Abid’s victory had already decided the tie in favour of Pakistan which comprise Aqeel Khan, Samir Iftikhar and Abid Ali.

The victory is significant more so in wake of Aisam-ul-Haq’s knee injury which made the country’s top player miss out on the event.

On the other hand, PTF president Salim Saifullah Khan extended heartiest congratulations on behalf of all PTF members to the players and appreciated the astute guidance and strategies by non-playing captain Hameed-ul-Haq.

While applauding another brilliant performance by experienced Aqeel Khan, the PTF president also expressed his delight at the superb performance of two young players Samir and Abid who have emerged as leading players for Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, July 17th, 2015

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