ISLAMABAD: Before the clash, it was time for pleasantries with India’s non-playing captain Zeeshan Ali hoping that the Davis Cup tie against Pakistan will promote friendship and the sport in the region.

With the draws made ahead of the World Group I playoff between the two arch-rivals, the stage is set for India’s first Davis Cup tie in Pakistan since 1964 and Zeeshan told reporters on Friday that his team had received great hospitality in Pakistan.

“In term of sports, our coming here will be good for tennis in the region if more children will pick up sports and that is our main intention,” he said at a news conference. “If we can help in any way to spread friendship and spread tennis then we would have achieved our goals.”

He also had a word for the warm welcome afforded for his side. “From the moment we landed in Islamabad, we have been enjoying the best hospitality.”

But from Saturday, the two teams will begin their battle on the grass courts of the Pakistan Sports Complex with Pakistan ace Aisam-ul-Haq opening against Ramkumar Ramanthan with that singles tie to be followed by another between Aqeel Khan and N’Sriram Balaji.

Sunday will see the decisive action with Pakistan’s Muzammil Murtaza and Barkatullah taking on Yuki Bhambri and Saketh Myneni in a doubles clash before Aqeel plays Ramathan and Aisam takes on Balaji in the reverse singles.

India have historically enjoyed an upper hand against Pakistan but Zeeshan said that past results don’t matter.

“We are the higher-ranked team but this doesn’t matter,” he said. “It’s a new tie and we’re focused on the task at hand.”

Aisam and Aqeel also predicted tough contests over two days, adding that the hosts were prepared to play the best tennis.

“On paper, they are better but in our home conditions, we’re capable of beating any team,” he said.

India and Pakistan last met in the Davis Cup in 2019 with the Indians running out 4-0 winners in neutral Kazakhstan. This time, however, India’s request to move the tie was turned down by the International Tennis Federation Tribunal.

“Our cricket team went to India to play the World Cup and now India’s tennis team is here,” said Aisam, saying that sports and politics shouldn’t be mixed. “We hope that India’s cricket team also visits Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy [in 2025].”

Published in Dawn, February 3rd, 2024