Pakistan favourites against Barbados in Davis Cup tie

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will start as favourites against Barbados in the away Davis Cup World Group-II tie to be played today (Saturday) and Sunday on the hard courts of the National Tennis Center in Bridgetown, Barbados.

Pakistan get back to full strength after recovery of Aisamul Haq, who joined the team following typhoid infection.

“I recovered in time from typhoid and have joined the team in Barbados. Hopefully, I will be in better shape for the doubles to be played on Sunday,” Aisam said.

Barbados has got a comparatively weaker outfit with none of the players ranked anywhere among the 1000 ranked players. Darian King is ranked 1230 with no other having individual ranking. Kaipo Marshal, Xavier Lawrenc Lewis Haydn and Stephen Slocombe have no ATP ranking individual rankings.

On the contrary Pakistan’s Aisam is still one of the top ranked doubles players with the likes of Aqeel and Muhammad Shoaib having played even against the top 200 players with utmost confidence.

Aisam, playing president of the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF), expressed confidence in the team’s chances, stating: “The Pakistan team is a combination of experienced and young blood and we are confident of winning the tie.

Aqeel Khan, an experienced player on the team, stated: “Barbados is a strong team with world-class players and we will do our best to play our best game and win the tie.”

The Pakistan Davis Cup team includes the following members: Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, Aqeel Khan, Muhammad Shoaib, Yousaf Khalil, Ahmed Nael Qureshi.