LAHORE, April 6: Pakistan took an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania group two tie against Taiwan by winning the doubles fixture at the Punjab Coaching Centre grasscourts in Bagh-i-Jinnah Saturday.

Pakistan’s pair of Aisam-ul-Haq and Aqeel Khan defeated Taiwanese pair of Simon Shen and Liu Chia-Che 6-4 2-6 6-4 6-4 in two hours and 35 minutes.

Pakistan had taken a 2-0 lead Friday when Aqeel and Aisam won their respective singles matches. The remaining two reverse singles, now reduced to academic interest, will be played Sunday at 10.00am.

Pakistan will now face the winner of China-Kazakhstan tie for a place in Group I. Pakistan will be praying for China’s victory as it would allow them to host the final. However, if Kazakhstan win, the decision for the host nation will be made on the spin of the coin.

The match is, nevertheless, scheduled between Sept 20 and 22.

China, who were beaten in both the singles Friday, pulled one back when Xu Ran and Zeng Shau-Xuan defeated Dias Doskarayev and Alexey Kedriouk 6-4 6-0 7-6 (7-1).

Pakistan captain Rashid Malik retained his winning duo of Aisam and Aqeel for the crucial match while Taiwan fielded both the new faces.

The key to Pakistan’s success in the doubles match was that Aqeel and Aisam won crucial points at vital stages. The two, who seldom play together, looked combined and played with great understanding.

Aqeel battled an uncomfortable pain in his left-arm to rise to the occasion and make country proud of him. Aqeel was last evening involved in a 150-minute match with Wen-Lung Chang and was instrumental in providing Pakistan a winning start.

Aisam, on the other hand, looked fresh after he had a 83-minute outing Friday. The youngster, who plays on the international circuit, was athletic, agile and alert, giving ample proof of his mass improvement since turning professional.

Aisam, however, failed to repeat his 19 aces on Friday when he could fire only six on Saturday. But most importantly, he didn’t drop his serve throughout the match.

Aqeel, nevertheless, continued to struggle to hold his serve when he was broken thrice. He sent in three aces.

Pakistan got the vital break in the fifth game of the first set. The home boys successfully held their serves to close the set at 6-4.

In the second set, Aqeel was broken twice in the fourth and eight games which allowed the Taiwanese pair to win the set 6-2 and level the scores at 1-all.

The lone break of the third set came in the third game when Liu failed to hold his serve to allow Pakistan pounce on the opportunity and win the set 6-4.

Pakistan made an excellent start to the fourth set when they broke Liu’s serve in the first game. But Aqeel failed to hold his serve to squander the advantage.

At 3-all, Pakistan again broke Simon’s serve which turned out to be decisive as Aisam and Aqeel held their nerves and serves to win the set 6-4 and the match 3-1.

Asia/Oceania zone group one (second round):

Thailand lead Japan 2-1

India level New Zealand 1-1 (doubles called off because of rain with India leading 2-0).

Asia/Oceania zone group one (play-off)