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| April 6, 2006 | Thursday | Rabi-ul-Awwal 7, 1427 |
Ex-official criticises election timings
ISLAMABAD, April 5: By holding its elections on the eve of a crucial Davis Cup tie against India, the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) has jeopardised the team's chances, a former official claimed on Wednesday. Asif Dar, an ex-secretary of the PTF told Dawn that Pakistan had a good chance of beating India who will fielding their weakest team but the current managers got their priorities wrong by opting to hold polls just five days before the tie.
In the April 2 elections in Islamabad, Syed Dilawar Abbas was re-elected as the president as was the controversial secretary Rashid Khan.
"It is only bad planning on part of the PTF who concentrated more on elections rather than focussing on preparations for the tie," said Dar. The Asia Oceania Group I tie is in Mumbai and kicks-off on Friday.
Warm-up for the tie has been poor with current Davis Cup team members Asim Shafik and Jalil Khan losing to Inam Gul and Mehmood Khan in a recent tournament at Lahore.
Inam, is a discarded player while Mahmood has been a second line player for years now.
It is likely that Asim and Jalil will team up for the doubles in Mumbai which may decide the fate of the tie.
Dar pointed out that ace Aisamul Haq remained away from the training camp and joined it only a few days before the team's departure to India.
Because of his late arrival at the camp, Aqeel Khan was left to train with low quality players.
He alleged that more than half a dozen people will be in Mumbai courtesy of PTF who want to strengthen their vote bank.
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