Pakistan face Kuwait in Davis Cup today
ISLAMABAD - Pakistan will start their Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group-II campaign against Kuwait today (Friday) at the neutral venue of Colombo, Sri Lanka. It was Pakistan's home tie but the ITF didn’t allow Pakistan to hold it at its home soul. Pakistan tennis ace Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi will start the proceedings against Naseer-Al Obaidly in the first singles match, while top Pakistan player Aqeel Khan will play the second and last singles match against M Ghareeb. Pakistani pair of Aisam/Aqeel will take on Kuwaiti pair of Hassan Al Mousa/Dawood Sayeed tomorrow (Saturday). Talking to The Nation, Aqeel said: “We are quite relaxed and ready to face the challenge. We reached Colombo earlier which helped us to prepare well for the important event. I am quite sure we will manage to give Pakistan victory in the tie.”–Staff Reporter

Pak juniors beat Lebanon in Fed Cup
ISLAMABAD - Pakistan junior team beat Lebanon 3-2 in the Junior Fed Cup match played in Kuching, Malaysia on Thursday. Now Pakistan will take on Iran in the next match today (Friday). In the first match against Lebanon, Pakistan No 2 Mahin Aftab crushed Lebanon’s No 1 Aline Challita 6-0, 6-0 to give Pakistan 1-0 lead. In the second match, Pakistan No 1 Alina Aftab played against Lebanon No 2 Sara Nassif. Alina, elder sister of Mahin, started the first set on high note winning it 6-3, but after that she allowed Sara to dictate terms, which resulted in Sara winning the next two sets 6-1, 6-4 to level the tie 1-1. Pakistan had to win doubles match to win the tie. Alina/Mahin teamed up to face Aline/Sara. Pakistani girls took the first set 6-1 and then won the second 7-5 to give Pakistan 2-1 win.–Staff Reporter

Pak juniors thrash B’desh in Davis Cup
ISLAMABAD - Pakistan junior Davis Cup team thrashed Bangladesh 3-0 in the Group-4 round robin league match played in Kuching, Malaysia on Thursday. In the first singles match, Pakistan’s M Raza Sawani of took on Kosar Ali. Raza took the first set 6-0 but in the second set, he had to face some stiff resistance before winning it 6-3, thus gave Pakistan 1-0 lead. In the second encounter, Muzammil Murtaza was pitted against M Ruble Hossain. Muzammil took the first set 6-3 and played the second set very well winning it 6-2 to give Pakistan an unassailable 2-0 lead in the tie. In the doubles, Aman Atiq and M Raza Sawani beat Rubel Hossain and M Istiak 6-3, 6-4 to help Pakistan thrash Bangladesh 3-0. Pakistan will play their last round robin match against Lebanon today (Friday).–Staff Reporter

Eshal creates waves in tennis circles
ISLAMABAD – Eshal Aftab, student of KG-1 of ICS-I-8/4, is creating waves in tennis circles with her superb performances in local events. Former Pakistan Davis Cup coach Fazle Subhan, who is grooming her as professional tennis player, termed her as Pakistan future medal hope hoping she could excel at international stage if provided with proper facilities. Talking to The Nation, 5-year-old Eshal said: “I love tennis because my mom plays this game. My dad Aftab always bucks me up and takes me to tennis courts. I have recently joined Islamabad Tennis Complex and training under watchful eyes of Fazle Subhan and Kamran Khalil. I want to follow my ideal Maria Sharapova and climb to new heights. It is my request to Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) to also provide tennis facilities to teen age players.”–Staff Reporter

Pak taekwondo team to leave for Qatar
ISLAMABAD – Seven-member Pakistan taekwondo team including two coaches has left for Qatar to participate in the 1st Qatar International Taekwondo Open World Taekwando Federation Grade-I official ranking tournament starting today (Friday) at Doha. PTWF president Lt Col (r) Waseem Ahmed Janjua said: “The top performers will be given opportunity to represent their country in the Junior Asian Taekwando Championship in Chinese Taipei from April 11-18. I am extremely grateful to PSB and IPC minister for giving us NOC well in time. The players are Junaid Riaz (-54kg Sr), Aamir Sohail (-55kg Jr), Ghulam Murtaza, (-63kg Jr), M Shafiq (-54kg Sr), M Akif Ali (-47kg Jr, Saif Ullah, (-63kg SR), Saim Sikandar Janjua (-61kg cadet), while Syed Sadaqat Hussaina and M Sajjad Akbar are the coaches.–Staff Reporter