China tennis team should visit Pakistan, says Hameed

KARACHI: The Foreign Office should play its role to convince China to send its team to Pakistan to play the first match of Davis Cup Asia Oceania Group-I scheduled next year from March 4-6.
Hameed-ul-Haq, the non-playing captain of Pakistan Davis Cup team, said this while talking to ‘The News’ on Tuesday.
“Many Chinese companies are working in Pakistan so this should not be difficult for them,” said Hameed. He added that according to the draws Pakistan are to face China in Group-I ties next March and Pakistan having choice of ground wants to host Chinese team in the country. “We have not been hosting international tennis teams in Pakistan for a long time,” said Hameed.
He added that Pakistan had moved into the Group-I after a long time and it would be really important to host the home ties in Pakistan to stay in Group-I. “China is a friend of Pakistan so its team should visit the country next March and help us in this time,” said Hameed.
The non-playing captain added that Pakistan, who improved seven positions to be ranked 34th in Davis Cup international rankings following the victory over Chinese Taipei in the final of Asia/Oceania Group-II, were now among the top six Asian tennis teams so it should be given due respect. Pakistan are back in Group-I after nine years.
The tie in March will be the sixth meeting between the two teams. China won their last match 5-0 in 2006. The winners will face Uzbekistan for a chance to reach the World Group play-offs.