Tennis team preparing hard for Davis Cup tie

LAHORE—Tehran-bound Pakistan tennis Davis Cup team is undergoing extensive training at Clay courts of Pakistan Tennis Federation’s complex at Islamabad and all the players are upbeat regarding their team’s prospects for its elevation to Group II.
Pakistan will be facing Iran, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tajikistan, United Arab Emirates and Vietnam in Davis Cup Asia Oceania Group III tie which will be played from April 9-13.
Knowing the task is not easy the confidence of team members including Aisam ul Haq, Aqeel Khan, Asim Shafiq and Jibran Mohammadi is still sky-high and they are committed to help their team to make it to the Group II. The team is going through a rigorous training session of five hours in court training under the able guidance of former davis cupper and non playing captain of the team Rashid Malik.
Pakistan has been relegated to Group III after making history by reaching Davis Cup World Group Qualifying Round a couple of years ago and now it faces a big challenge to go all the way for fulfilling a tough task. “It is going to be too difficult as team will be playing back to back six ties in as many days and the pressure will be on us in real terms because the other nations are equipped with their top most players “,said the team members in a telephonic interview with newsmen on Tuesday. They said despite all that they are eager to put up memorable performance for a greater show of the team. Pakistan’s top most tennis star ,Aisam ul haq has also expressed the same commitment saying “ I want to see my country back into the same position (Davis Cup World Qualifying Group) but it will not be that easy.
‘”Consistency and top form are needed to get Pakistan back to that history making status and it requires higher level of game from every team member, not from one or two players “,he added.
Pakistani Canadian Jirban is the new addition in the team and he will be making his debut in the Davis Cup and a lot is expected from him to be a big support to senior players in the team.
The composition of the team reveals that barring Jibran rest of the players are relatively experienced and have represented the country in number of Davis Cup ties in the past.
“My aim is the same of my senior colleagues and I want to start my career in Davis Cup on a memorable note by giving a performance which leads my team to success “,said Jibran who has flown from Toronto to represent his country.—Agencies