There is a strong possibility of an IND vs PAK fixture in the Davis Cup next year, in the World Group 1 play-offs, after ITF rejected India’s security concerns to visit the neighboring country.
A report in Geosuper.tv suggests the ITF David Cup Committee’s decision in favor of the Pakistanis..
“The ITF Davis Cup Committee has rejected Indian security concerns and directed the Indian Federation to send its team for an important tie, failing which the tie will be awarded to Pakistan,” a source in the ITF Davis Cup Committee confirmed to another Pakistan publication, The News.
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The report further suggested, “There is no such situation in Pakistan where an Indian team cannot travel and participate in the Davis Cup tie. Pakistan has hosted some important Davis Cup ties just recently in a successful manner so there is no solid reason as to why they cannot host the tie against India. Maintaining law and order is the sole responsibility of the host nation. Indian team should rest assured that required security measures will be in order for their travel and participation,” the committee opined.
Earlier, after the draw, the AITA had mentioned that the Indian Davis Cup team won’t travel to Pakistan, and the tie be shifted to a neutral venue.
No Neutral Venue for Ind vs Pak Davis Cup tie
The Pakistani federation had maintained right from the start, that they wouldn’t play at a neutral venue. PTF President Salim Saifullah Khan had told PTI, “They should come to Pakistan. It’s not fair that they do not come to Pakistan. The Indian team is much better than us. We have a beautiful hotel just across the stadium. If Indians come it will send a good message that we are good neighbours.”
“We have hosted Lithuania, Slovakia, Korea, Iran, and Thailand. All these countries have come and there have been no issues. We won’t play on a neutral venue. If India does not want to come, we will not play this tie. We will play on grass courts and the Indians are a better team. And in February-March, the weather is lovely in Islamabad.”
