ISLAMABAD, March 9: In a major move, the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) dropped Asim Shafik and Nomi Qamar from the Davis Cup team announced on Sunday for this April’s Asia Oceania Group I tie against Japan.

Replacing them will be Shahzad Samad Khan and Shahzad Khan who were named along with Aisamul Haq and Aqeel Khan on the squad for the April 4 to 6 tie in Toyota, Japan.

Both Asim, ranked No 2 and Nomi who is number three on the ranking ladder, were axed for their “below par” performance in last month’s clash against New Zealand in Hamilton where Pakistan were whitewashed 5-0.

Meanwhile a training camp in preparation for the match began at the PTF Complex on Sunday with coach-cum-camp commandant Hameedul Haq and Mushaf Zia imparting training to the players.

Hameed, who himself played Davis Cup for Pakistan, said that a hectic training schedule will be followed. “Each day there will be seven hours of training including physical exercises.

He said that Akhtar Mohiuddin, who was one of the best physical trainers in the country had arrived to keep the boys in proper shape.

Hameed was hopeful that the selected team would do well in Japan.