India and Pakistan often come to a breakpoint (in tennis parlance) as the South Asian rivals do not enjoy great diplomatic relations. That is why sporting ties are kept on the baseline, despite the fact that sports can serve up well in bringing the two nations closer. Cricket has always taken the lead in bringing peace in the past but even that option has been lost due to the acrimony in the relationship.
When the draws for Davis Cup Group 1 play-off were announced by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) last year, India started a volley of attempts to shift the tie from Pakistan to a neutral venue. They did it successfully when the two countries were drawn in Davis Cup Group 1 first round tie, beating Pakistan 4-0 in Kazakhstan in 2019. But this time their claims of security fears did not impress the ITF as they took into account Pakistan hosting high profile teams like Australia, South Africa and England in the last three years or so. Fearing suspension, India was forced to visit Pakistan.
The Pakistan government in conjunction with their Tennis Federation kept all the aces in the right places. The Indian contingent were issued visas in time and excellent arrangements — hotel, security and training facilities — were provided to the tourists. “We wanted to host India because we are a safe country and have recently hosted a number of high profile teams,” PTF President Salim Saifullah told wenews.pk. “We have excellent arrangements for them and hope they go back with good memories of Pakistan.”
The Indian contingent practiced at Sports Complex Islamabad and were taken care of as they were provided with a security expert who along with other officials kept a tight vigil. The hotel, where the tourists were put up — was also comfortable and welcoming. Indian tennis team manager Sunil Yajman was full of praise for the arrangements. “We are excited and very happy to be in Pakistan especially that we have come after a long gap of 60 years,” said Yajman. “We have a good practice session (on Monday) and are looking forward to the tie as Davis Cup brings the best nationalistic spirit in every player.” With heavy rain lashing Islamabad the teams could not practice on Wednesday.
India enjoys an overwhelming Davis Cup record against Pakistan, winning all the seven ties since the two nations met for the first time in 1962 in Lahore, Pakistan. The only other time the tie was played in Pakistan was in 1964 when India prevailed 4-0.
But this time around, India may face a tough challenge as the tie is on grass which they are not used to playing on. That is coupled with the retirement of their best singles player Rohan Bopanna from the Davis Cup. Their two other top players — Sumit Nagal and Mukund Sasikumar — pulled out of the tour of Pakistan, while Rohit Rajpal also could not travel. That left Zeeshan Ali to act as coach and captain of the squad. Incidentally, Zeeshan’s father Akhtar Ali was part of the Indian team that last toured Pakistan in 1964.
In the absence of Nagal and Mukund, world No. 463 Ramkumar Ramanathan will play the singles while Yuki Bhambri can also feature in the singles.
Pakistan will be looking to the experience duo of Aisamul Haq Qureshi and Aqeel Khan with fast rising Muzamil Murtaza, Mohammad Shoaib and Barkatullah in company. Aisam and Aqeel have wealth of experience and can turn the tie in Pakistan’s favor in case singles go their way.
Aisam was hopeful of a favorable result. “We are very, very happy that India has come to Pakistan after a long time,” Aisam told wenews.pk. “It’s a historical tie for me as I have good memories from the tie we played in Mumbai (2006) although we lost a close tie. The Indian team was due to come to Pakistan in 2009 but they shifted the tie to a neutral venue. Now it’s a happy occasion that the Indian team has come and we look forward to an exciting tie.”
Aqeel is equally ecstatic. “We will do our best to win this tie as Aisam and I are heading towards the end of our careers,” said Aqeel. “Davis Cup matches are always high pressure games but we are all experienced in handling that pressure. We also have three good young players as well like Mohammad Shoaib, Muzammil Murtaza, and Barkatullah, so it will be a good tie.”
DAVIS CUP RECORD: India v Pakistan
1962 Lahore India beat Pakistan 5-0
1963 Pune India beat Pakistan 4-1
1964 Lahore India beat Pakistan 4-0
1970 Patna India beat Pakistan 3-1
1973 Kuala Lumpur India beat Pakistan 4-0
2006 Mumbai India beat Pakistan 3-2
2019 Kazakhstan India beat Pakistan 4-0
