KARACHI: Country’s top tennis player Aqeel Khan said he may travel abroad later this month to compete in ITF Futures in preparation for the Asia Oceania zone group two Davis Cup final against Thailand which is slated from Sept 12 to 14.

“The Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) president Kaleem Imam has given me two choices — inviting a foreign coach for a short stint or to compete in the Futures — and I opted for latter to get the required practice,” he told Dawn on Friday.

Aqeel, who has decided to skip all-Pakistan tournament which is set to commence in Islamabad on Saturday (Aug 2) due to shoulder pain, said he may proceed to Turkey or some other country close to Thailand where the Futures event is being played on hard court.

Pakistan won the first round rubber against Vietnam 3-2 and stretched the winning run by getting the better of Philippines by the identical margin of 3-2 in the second round.

Pakistan made one change in the second round tie bringing US-based Samir Iftikhar in place of M. Abid Mushtaq.

Aqeel said that there’s a likelihood that as per practice the PTF will retain the winning quartet for the clash against Thailand.

It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan will play the group two final after 12 years the last being against China at Peshawar which the home team won 3-2 in 2002.

By virtue of that triumph, Pakistan earned promotion in group one the following year and retained the status in 2004 before advancing to world group playoff where they were blanked 5-0 by Chile in 2005.

According to statistics, Pakistan enjoys 4-3 lead over Thailand in Davis Cup matches and a victory will earn them a place in group one in 2015.

To a question, he said Aisam was in Washington and has assured his availability against Thailand.

Published in Dawn, August 2nd, 2014