LAHORE, March 6: Pakistan accomplished a stunning 3-2 victory over Thailand in the Davis Cup Asia Oceania Zone Group-1 when Aisamul Haq Qureshi, the world No 206, sprang a big upset by squeezing past the world No 33 , Paradorn Srichaphan 3-1 in the first reverse singles at the Cosmopolitan Club on Sunday.

Aisam, among top six in Asia, outplayed Asia No 1, Paradorn 7-5, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 after a battle of two hours and 40 minutes. Pakistan had gained 2-1 lead before the reverse singles.

Aisam beat Danai Udomchok in the first singles on Friday but Thailand had levelled the score 1-1 when Paradorn came out as winner against Aqeel Khan in the second singles.

On Saturday, Pakistan took the ascendancy (2-1) when its pair of Aisam and Aqeel beat the Thai duo of Paradorn and Danai in the doubles. And when Aisam beat Paradorn on Sunday in the reverse singles, Pakistan sealed its victory in the best-of-five tie with unbeatable 3-1 lead.

Having won the tie, Pakistan changed Aqeel Khan with upcoming Shahzad Khan to play the second reverse singles which turned out to be academic insight. It was again Aisam's serve which paid him rich dividend and helped him to defeat a strong rival. He hit 20 aces against Paradorn's 13 aces. Each of them did double-fault twice.

The pundits had predicted Paradorn's victory against Aisam but were hopeful about Aqeel's win against Danai in the last reverse singles. But the way Aisam started off and finished the match made it his day.

He did all what he wanted. His passing shots from difficult angles, drop shots and an improved backhand awarded him winners in crucial stages.

Aisam grabbed the first set after exchanging long rallies as both the players seemed assessing each other's strength, avoiding any risk.

Tiding till 5-5 by holding own serves, Aisam broke Paradorn for the first time in the 11th game to secure a vital 6-5 lead. He held his next game to win the first set to the surprise of the spectators. But Paradorn came back to display his true class in the second set. The way he played in the set it looked there was nothing left for Aisam.

Aggressive Paradorn made a flying start, gaining 3-0 lead by holding the first game and broke Aisam in the next after two deuce and then again held his serve in the third game.

Maintaining his lead by holding the serve, Paradorn again broke Aisam in the 8th game after catching the rival from 15-40 down. He had tied the score at 40-40 and finally won the game after an advantage to win the set and made the match score one-all.

From there onwards, Aisam looked a different player. He wrapped up the third set by breaking Paradorn's serve in the third game without conceding any point to take an early 2-1 lead.

Keeping the pressure on, Aisam held his serves in the following games and won the set to take 2-1 lead in the match.

In the fourth set, Paradorn looked tired and it seemed he had lost concentration and made many unforced errors, allowing Aisam to win the set after breaking another serve of Paradorn in the 7th game.

Lanky and upcoming Shahzad Khan, 18, showed some glimpses of talent before losing the second singles of the best of three to Danai 6-3, 7-6 (1).

After losing the first set easily, Shahzad took Danai into tie-breaker in the second set. Danai broke Shahzad's serve in the 5th game and Shahzad in the 8th. But Shahzad could earn only one point in the tie-breaker before Danai romped home.

Now Pakistan will host the winners of the tie between Japan and Taiwan held on March 4-6. Pakistan need a win in the next to feature in the World Zone playoff.

Results:

Aisamul Haq Qureshi (Pakistan) bt Paradorn Srichaphan (Thailand) 7-5, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4; Danai Udomchok (Thailand) bt Shahzad Khan (Pakistan) 6-3, 7-6 (1).