KARACHI, 7 February 2006 — The prospects of playing traditional sports rivals India in a mouthwatering semifinal has fired up Pakistan’s Davis Cup squad as it gears up for next week’s Asia-Oceania Group 1 clash against Chinese Taipei. The Pakistani players and officials are hoping for a victory against Chinese Taipei in the Feb. 10-12 tie, a result that could put them face to face with India in the Davis Cup semifinals this spring.
“It is an exciting possibility,” Pakistan’s coach and non-playing captain Muhammad Khalid told Arab News yesterday.
“We would love to have a Pakistan-India clash in the Davis Cup because it would be good for tennis in this part of the world,” said the former Pakistan No. 1 who spearheads the national Davis Cup squad that left here for Chinese Taipei on a late night flight yesterday.
While Pakistan meet Taipei for a place in the semifinals, India have been drawn against Korea in another opening round match of the Asia Oceania Group 1 event this year. The Indians are seeded to beat the Koreans in the away tie. Pakistan have not played against India in the Davis Cup in almost 33 years, which is a reason why Khalid and his team players were not even aware whether the two teams have actually played against each other in the world’s biggest team tennis competition.
Between 1962 and 1973, Pakistan played and lost against India on five occasions on home soil, in India and on a neutral venue in Malaysia. When informed about it, Khalid pointed out that the defeats came a long time ago and things would be different if the two teams actually met this year. “We have a very good team and I am sure the result would be a close one if we play against India this year,” said the former Davis Cupper.
However, Khalid said that no matter how much he and his boys are hoping for a match against India, their focus was on the away tie against Chinese Taipei. “We can only play against India if we beat Chinese Taipei,” he said. “It is going to be a tough match,” he predicted. Pakistan have not beaten Taipei in an away tie since a 4-1 triumph in 1988. They lost 0-5 when they last time they toured the East Asian island.
