Pakistan’s Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi.
| Picture Credit score: AFP
Aisam ul-Qureshi, Pakistan’s most profitable tennis participant, doesn’t play singles on the ATP Tour, however when nationwide responsibility calls for it, he willingly takes up the accountability, and the Indian staff might need to take care of him on the opening day of the Davis Cup World Group I tie, beginning Saturday.
The opening day of the tie will function in two singles, and Aisam may play in a kind of in opposition to both Ramkumar Ramanathan or N Sriram Balaji, who will almost definitely play on Saturday.
Aisam, 43, had even performed in opposition to Indonesia within the residence grass court docket tie in September 2023. He additionally did the singles responsibility in opposition to Lithuania (2022), Japan (2021) and Slovenia (2020).
“I’ve at all times thought-about myself to play singles, however I do not do it each single time. I’m making ready for the whole lot, singles and doubles, and the identical goes for everybody within the staff. We’ll see. We’ve yet another day of coaching,” Aisam informed PTI.
Aisam has 41-22 win-loss report in singles in 48 matches he has performed in 44 nominations.
Former Davis Cup captain Hameed ul Haq additionally reckons that if Aisam and veteran Aqeel Khan play the singles, the tie will not be a lop-sided affair.
“We’ve bought some good outcomes on grass however the Indian staff can also be excellent on this floor. They know what’s required. I really feel India have higher possibilities to win this tie however since Pakistan has two very skilled gamers in Aqeel Khan and Aisam ul haq Qureshi, in the event that they play singles then the competition will likely be tight,” he mentioned.
For the second consecutive day, persistent drizzle disrupted Pakistan Davis Cup staff’s apply session, whereas the Indians have been additionally compelled to remain indoors on Wednesday.
On Tuesday additionally, when the Indian staff was nearing the top of its three-hour session, heavens opened up, forcing an early closure of their session.
Aisam mentioned not attending to hit for 2 days in a row, certainly impacts the preparations.
“Undoubtedly, this stuff have an effect on the preparations. On the finish of the day, this stuff are usually not in our management. We have to give attention to issues we are able to management and put together in greatest manner attainable. I’m positive Indian staff’s coaching has additionally been affected however it’s what it’s,” mentioned world quantity 154 Aisam, who was a top-10 participant in doubles in 2011.
“Hopefully, the climate will likely be good on Saturday and Sunday so we are able to have an exquisite tie, Insha-allah,” he added. Pakistan captain Mohammed Abid remained optimistic and opted trying on the brighter facet.
“Properly, the gamers are actually properly rested. The our bodies are relaxed now,” he mentioned earlier than leaving with Mohammed Shoaib and Barkat Ullah for a fitness center session.
