Pakistan edge Sri Lanka in Davis Cup

KARACHI: Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka 3-2 in their Davis Cup tie on Sunday to set up a clash against New Zealand in the second round of Asia/Oceania Group-II.

 In the reverse singles on the last day of the tie at the clay courts of Sri Lanka Tennis Association in Colombo, Aisam-ul-Haq defeated Dineshkanthan Thangarajah, but Aqeel Khan lost to Harshana Godamanna.

 Now Pakistan are to face New Zealand, who defeated Lebanon 5-0, on 5-7 April in the second round. Pakistan have the right to surface, but it is likely that Pakistan will lose this right due to security issues. New Zealand

 According to the details of the tie, Aqeel Khan lost one singles match and won one and the same happened with Aisam. But Pakistan emerged as the victors thanks to their win in the doubles match.

Pakistan’s non-playing captain Muhammad Khalid told ‘The News’ after the match from Colombo that both the players played well and helped the country to record a good win. To a question about the next tie with New Zealand, he said they were in talks with the International Tennis Federation (ITF) to hold this tie at a neutral venue.

“We are trying to have it either in Singapore or in Malaysia, so that we can have the benefit of the surface our players are comfortable playing on,” he added.

Besides tricky clay courts, hot and humid weather in Sri Lanka created difficulties for the Pakistani team, which was why Pakistan faced tough resistance from Sri Lanka. Even Aqeel, who has good experience of playing in Sri Lanka, lost a singles match.

Pakistan are ranked 53rd, have won 49 ties and lost 48 in the Davis Cup. Sri Lanka are ranked 63rd, having won 57 ties and lost 65. Pakistan have won all their six ties against Sri Lanka. The team arrived on Monday at the Karachi airport.