KARACHI, Sept 28: Pakistan’s non-playing captain and coach of national tennis team, Rasheed Malik, is optimistic that Pakistan will prove its worth in Davis Cup Asia-Oceaniana Group One matches scheduled to be played in February 2003.

Pakistan qualified for Asia-Oceania Group One after a gap of five years after defeating China in the final of Group two 3-2 in Peshawar last week.

Rashid, Pakistan’s former number one tennis player, claimed it was was a great achievement earn a place in Group One after five years.

He observed that Pakistan players played well and proved that tennis is progressing well in the country and is not dependent on Pakistan’s current best player Isamul Haq as despite his defeat Aqeel Khan rose to the occasion and played key role against China.

Pakistan when last time qualified for Group One lost all its matches and was relegated to Group two.

The other teams who have qualified for Asia-Oceania Group One are India, South Korea, Japan and Thailand. The winner of this group is eligible to qualify for the “World Group”. Pakistan never ever qualified for World Group in its history.

Rasheed opined that the players like Isamul haq, Aqeel Khan, Noomi Qamar and Asim Shafiq were capable winning matches in Group One as they were talented, courageous and hard worker.

He said that success against China gave a new lease of life to the Pakistan tennis and revealed that Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) will plan for the training the for preparation matches in Group One.—PPI