ISLAMABAD, April 26: Former Pakistan No.1 Inamul Haq says he is surprised at change in the venue for the upcoming Davis Cup tie against Chinese Taipei, to be played in Lahore. “I am surprised at the decision to change the venue from Cosmopolitan Club to Defence Club in Lahore,” the former Pakistan captain said on Tuesday.

Pakistan had beaten Thailand at the Cosmopolitan grass courts in Lahore to retain their place in Group-1 of Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Zone.

Should Pakistan win the April 29-May 1 tie against Chinese Taipei, it will book a berth in the world group of Davis Cup for the first time in its tennis history.

“Pakistan had beaten Thailand at the Cosmopolitan Club grass courts and logically-speaking the same courts should have been retained for the tie against Chinese Taipei, instead of opting for Defence Club courts.

“Pakistan’s Aisamul Haq had defeated Paradorn Srichaphan of Thailand, who was once the world No.11, and he together with Aqeel had also won the doubles match in the last tie against Thailand at the Cosmopolitan Club courts,” said Inam who represented Pakistan at the first Islamic Games at Izmir, Turkey way back in 1980 when the country’s tennis squad grabbed one gold, two silver and one bronze medals.

Inam said that Pakistan’s leading players Aisamul Haq and Aqeel Khan were in fine nick going into the tie against Chinese Taipei. “They are in splendid form.

“Our frontline players Aisam and Aqeel are playing fine tennis and I am confident they are capable of leading the country into the world group,” he said.

“Moreover, the Pakistani players will definitely have the grass court advantage against the Chinese players,” he said.

Inam said the victory over Thailand as well as recent triumphs in Islamic Games were proof enough that Aisam and Aqeel were capable of holding their own against Chinese Taipei.

Aisamul and Aqeel landed three gold and one bronze medal in the recently-concluded Islamic Solidarity Games in Saudi Arabia.

Aisam and Aqeel were the only medal-winners in the Pakistan contingent.—APP