Pakistan is playing host to foreign teams and players which is evident that security has improved in the country: Aisam-ul-Haq —File photo

KARACHI: Tennis celebrity Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi has said that the atmosphere in the country was ‘conducive’ and Lebanon should have come and played Davis Cup tie against Pakistan.

“Pakistan is playing host to foreign teams and players which is evident that security has improved in the country,” he told Dawn at Karachi Gymkhana the other day.

Pakistan is due to play Lebanon at home in the Asia Oceania group two first round Davis Cup tie slated from Feb 10 to 12 next but the ITF has relocated it to Lebanon due to security concerns.

Aisam, who seldom come to Karachi and took out some time from his busy schedule to grace the UBL international hard court tennis championship, said he will be flying to Australia on Thursday to compete in ITF events at Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.

To a question, he said on his return he will join Pakistan team to prepare for the Davis Cup fixture.

He was of full praise for the financial institution for staging the richest ever tennis event in the city. “Participation of Sri Lankan players has added glamour to the event,” he said.

He called upon other multi-national firms to come forward and help promote sports in the country.