Pakistan trails 0-2 against Philippines – Davis Cup 2012
Pakistan lost both matches on the opening day of its Davis Cup tie against Philippines. The South Asian nation, Pakistan, is taking on its Southeast Asian opponent in the second round of the Davis Cup, Group 2, Asia/Oceania Zone.
The tie is being held at the clay courts of Philippine Columbian Association in Manila, Philippines.
Pakistani team is without its best player, Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi, as he withdrew from the competition due to the risk of aggravating the condition of his knee.
Aisam, who is a former world number 125 in singles and currently at 13th position in doubles, thought that playing in the hot and humid conditions of Manila could give him a chronic knee injury.
In the absence of its international star, Pakistan is being led by their second best player, Aqeel Khan, in this tie.
However, the ageing player from Karachi, Pakistan looked helpless, as he was thrashed by Philippine’s number two, Johnny Arcilla, in straight sets 2-6, 2-6, 3-6 in the first match.
Pakistan received another blow, as Aqeel’s youngest brother, Yasir Khan, was humiliated by Treat Huey in the second rubber. Yasir managed to claim just three games in the entire match, losing it 1-6, 0-6, 3-6.
Aqeel will partner his brother, Jalil Khan, to lock horns with Francis Casey Alcantara and Ruben Gonzalez in the doubles match on Saturday.
The chances of green shirts’ come back in this tie are almost zero and only a miracle can help them to clinch victory.
Their morale had hit rock bottom as soon as they got the news of Aisam’s withdrawal. Talking to the reporters before the start of competition, Aqeel said, “Playing in adverse conditions in an away tie is always difficult and playing
in the tie against Philippines in their own backyard without Aisam would mean that the remote chance of Pakistan winning in the event would completely be diminished.”
It was learnt that Aisam’s withdrawal was in protest over the shifting of tie from Pakistan to Philippines. It was Pakistan’s turn to host the Filipinos but it was removed from the status due to security concerns.
The South Asian nation has not played a Davis Cup tie at home since 2005.
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