LONDON: Hong Kong has withdrawn from their Davis Cup tie against Pakistan in Islamabad citing security concerns, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) said on Tuesday.

Pakistan have been forced to play home Davis Cup ties in the Asia/Oceania group abroad since 2010 because of security issues, but international tennis returned last month.

Pakistan beat Iran 3-2 in a first-round tie in Islamabad in what was the first Davis Cup match in the country in 12 years.

Hong Kong had challenged the Davis Cup Committee’s decision to approve matches in Pakistan, and withdrew following an independent tribunal ruling that the tie should go ahead.

“The ITF regrets and respectfully disagrees with the decision of Hong Kong, China to default its upcoming Davis Cup tie against Pakistan,” the ITF said.

“The ITF takes the security of all players, team personnel, officials and spectators very seriously. We are confident in the security risk management procedures we have in place.”

Pakistan have advanced to the third round of Asia/Oceania group II as a result of Hong Kong’s withdrawal and will host the winners of the tie between the Philip­pines and Thailand.

Published in Dawn, March 22nd, 2017