ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Davis Cup coach Mushaf Zia hopes tennis lovers will witness interesting matches between Pakistan and India in Islamabad during the first week of February when they clash in a Davis Cup Group-I playoff.

In September, Pakistan under Mushaf outclassed Indonesia 5-0 in the Davis Cup World Group-II tie to qualify for the Group-I playoff against India.

Speaking to Dawn on Thursday, Mushaf reckoned that Pakistan would have home advantage during the Group-II playoff.

“Our players are very good particularly on grasscourt. Therefore, I am expecting exciting tennis in the Davis Cup Group-II tie against India,” Mushaf, who is also the non-playing captain of the Pakistan team, said.

The coach added that Pakistan’s track record of home ties was very impressive.

“Our teams have won majority of the ties staged here in Pakistan in recent years,” he underlined.

Responding to a question about the training camp and the players’ preparation for the forthcoming Davis Cup tie against India, Mushaf said the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) would take decisions in this regard.

“Since we have over three months before the Group-II tie takes place, I think the camp will begin during January, some 15 days before the event,” he said.

To a query about the trials, the coach said in his opinion there will be no trials for veterans Aqeel Khan and Asiam-ul-Haq who had been performing outstandingly for many years.

“I do agree, both of them are in their 40s but both are [still] playing superbly and have won a number of [Davis Cup] ties for Pakistan over the years,” Mushaf emphasised, adding that promising Mohammad Shoaib is also a very good player.

“We have a pretty decent combination of senior and junior players.”

Mushaf at the same time acknowledged that Indian team also looked strong which he attributed to a good number of international events which had been taking place in India since long, providing Indian players required exposure.

“But let me say that the [Davis Cup] tie between Pakistan and India will be highly interesting,” he said.

Recently, the International Tennis Federation’s Davis Cup committee after rejecting India’s appeal, in which they had expressed security concerns over playing in Pakistan, decided that the tie would be held in Pakistan.

The country has successfully hosted eight Davis Cup ties after 2017.

Published in Dawn, November 10th, 2023