KARACHI, May 2: The Pakistan tennis scenario is quite an appalling one today since the relegation to group III in Davis Cup Asia Oceania Zone for first time ever has pained fans and critics alike, almost as much as the early exit of Inzamam-ul-Haq’s men from the Cricket World Cup.

The defeat at the hands of Pacific Oceania, which looked very much on the cards even prior to team’s departure for the tie, has plummeted the country’s graph in the game to a new low. The result is all the more amazing since Pakistan had blanked the Pacific Oceania 5-0 at home nine years back.

The whole exercise - from the selection of team to the performance of players - has thoroughly exposed the poor working of Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) which failed to deliver as the national side continued its downward trend by losing its status at the World Group playoffs to Group I, Group II and finally to Group III.

While the team met its Waterloo, the PTF President, Senator Dilawar Abbas, was holidaying in Bangkok during the same dates where he got himself elected as vice-president Asian Tennis Federation.

The choice of veteran Hameedul Haq as ‘playing captain’ is a sad reflection on talent base in Pakistan which is clearly shrinking. Other members of the team including Aqeel Khan, his younger brother Jalil Khan and Shahzad Khan also failed to make their mark

The deterioration in tennis standards has occurred in a short span of time in this region. It was only two years ago that Pakistan reached the World Group playoffs for the first time though they lost to Chile there. Since then, it is their sixth defeat in a row.

Many years ago, another opportunity of making to World Group playoffs was lost on Pakistan when they were beaten in the 1984 Eastern Zone final against Japan.

Records show that Pakistan was promoted to Group I in 2003 following an excellent run in the preceding year. They not only retained their place the following year but went on to advance to World Group playoffs in 2005. But since that 0-5 whitewash to Chile, Pakistan tennis has not recovered.

They lost their three ties in 2006 only to be relegated to Group II. Pakistanis later got a 4-1 drubbing at the hands of Philippines in Feb 9-11 first round Group II tie this year while Pacific Oceania put the last nail in their coffin with a 3-2 win in April 6-9 playoff.

There are many factors for the decline, none more vital than talented Aisamul Haq’s non-availability in the latest two ties. The result would have been different had he (Aisam) been available.

Critics believe he (Aisam) skipped the ties due to monetary reason, something he had also done in the past. It is on record that he demanded US$10,000 appearance money along with a win bonus of US$5000 on a previous occasion. Then, Pakistan was blanked 5-0 by Thailand and Taiwan in 2004 since PTF refused to bow down to Aisam’s demands.

However, insiders quoting family sources say that Aisam was not consulted by the PTF hierarchy.

Country’s ace player Aqeel Khan who was instrumental in Pakistan’s memorable victories against China (2002), South Korea (2003) and New Zealand (2004) cannot deliver alone. His longest-known Davis Cup tiebreak record is still intact when losing to Korea's Young-Jun Kim in the 2003 Asia/Oceania Group I relegation playoff 7-6 4-6 6-3 7-6, with the first set tiebreak lasting 36 points. Other players including his younger brother Jalil and Yasir can’t match his experience.

“Pakistan’s standard has drastically gone down the ladder which can be gauged from the fact that former No 1 Mohammad Khaliq, who is on a coaching assignment in Kuwait since long, won like a champion during the 30th National Games,” remarked former PTF secretary and a strong critic, Munir Pirzada.

He blasted at the policies of Dilawar and his secretary Rashid Khan for damaging the game. “There’s no second tier so who’s going to replace Aqeel, Jalil, Asim, Shahzad and Nomi,” he asked?

While the game went to the dogs, Dilawar Abbas got a vote of confidence from handpicked people to get re-elected for the second term on April 2, last year.

The provincial associations of NWFP and Balochistan are dormant so are the other affiliated units barring Sindh, Punjab, Islamabad and PAF. An affiliated unit can organise a national ranking event provided it brings sponsorship of Rs175,000.

Shahida Farooq, a PTF Council member, is fighting for the cause of promotion of tennis in the country. She has been regularly organising activities be it Karachi or Islamabad with big prize money at stake. Similarly, veteran Davis Cupper Rashid Malik is also playing an active role in Lahore.

A couple of Sindh ranking events took place annually to keep the ball rolling but the prize money offered is meagre (upto RS15,000). The tennis fraternity, including the players who pay Rs200 entry fee per event, have voiced their concern on the issue. The Anti Tobacco tournament also carries a small tag of prizemoney.

Unfortunately, Pakistan tennis is now in the hands of few individuals whose whims and fancies are ruining the game with each passing day.