ISLAMABAD - Pakistan chances of winning Davis Cup Asia Oceania tie against Vietnam are in hot waters as the country will be without the services of tennis ace Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi who will not be available for the important fixture due to international commitments.
Talking to The Nation, Aisam confirmed the developments and said: “I am very disappointed not to be the part of the Pakistan squad for the fixture. I had trained very hard from December last and reduced my weight just for that particular tie but PTF top brass without even bothered to informing me decided to change the dates of the Davis Cup tie. Now the dates clash with the dates of Rotterdam Open, where I would be playing doubles with my partner. I can't slip out as it would hurt the rankings of my partner and also my team.”
He said PTF president should have at least consulted him before changing the dates. “It is quite unfortunate and with a very heavy heart I had to drop out form the Vietnam bound squad. “
When this correspondent asked Aisam if there was any way out, he said first of all the PTF had to send the names earlier and secondly his body would not be able to go through such tough and stern test as it would take eight hours to reach Lahore form Europe and then another five hours to reach Thailand and then another two hours flight to Vietnam and I don't know how much more time required to finally reach the spot where the tie would be held.” Another big thing is the completely different playing conditions. I would be playing indoors in Europe while in Vietnam the tie would be held outdoors. Despite my core wish and utmost efforts to make myself available, I am hapless. I can't represent country in the tie. Instead of accommodating ITF and Vietnam Tennis Federation, the PTF should have think about their players and put country's interest ahead. I would try to play the next tie. My best hopes and payers are with my country and players and Aqeel and others are capable of winning the tie for Pakistan, Aisam concluded.