Davis Cup tie against India: Unhappy PTF to send junior players

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tennis Federation has decided to field under-18 players in the Davis Cup tie against India, showing utter displeasure on the independent tribunal’s decision to reject the PTF’s appeal against shifting of the match to a neutral venue.

Nur-Sultan in Kazakhstan is now set to hold the tie on November 29-30 with both Pakistan and India to be considered visiting teams.

Pakistan retains the right to host the tie between the two countries whenever they meet in Davis Cup in future.

“We have decided to send our junior team for the tie against India in protest against the Davis Cup Committee and independent tribunal’s decision to deprive Pakistan of its genuine right to be the hosts,” a source in the PTF said.

Huzaifa Abdul Rehman, Shoaib Khan and Yousaf Khan will represent Pakistan. Ahmad Kamil is expected to be the fourth youngster in the team.

“Majority of the senior players, including Aisamul Haq and Aqeel Khan, have opted out of the tie in protest against the ITF’s decision. We have no other option but to send juniors to show our concern,” the official said.

He questioned the ITF’s wisdom, saying that over 5,000 Indian Sikhs travel to Pakistan every day to pay homage at Kartarpur. “And the ITF believes that we cannot handle a few players. This is total mockery and an eyewash.”

The official believes that if the tie was held in Pakistan, the hosts had a great chance of winning it. “There is only one reason for depriving Pakistan of the hosting rights and that is to provide opportunity to India to take the tie. Last time we visited India for the tie under same tension.

“The president and executive committee of the PTF support the players’ stand and have decided to send a junior team for the tie. This is to convey our disappointment and to give a message to the Indian players,” he said. The Pakistan team is expected to leave for Kazakhstan on November 24.