Davis Cup Group I tie between Pakistan and India will be played from February 3-4
- India agreed to travel to Pakistan amid fear of fine.
- Squad includes 5 players, 2 physios, coach.
- PTF officials welcome Indian team.
ISLAMABAD: After months of uncertainty and reluctance, the Indian tennis team arrived in Islamabad to play the important Davis Cup Group I tie against Pakistan at the Sports Complex Grass Court on February 3-4, reported The News on Monday.
As per the publication, the All-Indian Tennis Association (AITA) tried using all options to deprive Pakistan of the hosting rights. It had first approached the Davis Cup Committee and then to the Chair of the Independent Tribunal to shift the tie to a neutral venue.
However, their efforts went in vain and had only two options before them either to travel to Pakistan to play the tie or face the ire of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) by forfeiting the tie and facing a fine.
Fearing the fine and possible relegation, the Indian team finally decided to travel to Pakistan and arrived in the federal capital late Sunday evening.
According to The News, this is the first time that Pakistan has defeated India’s point of view on an international forum twice in a matter of months.
It was the DCC that rejected India’s concern, allotting the tie to Pakistan, and then came the turn of the Chair of Independent Tribunal which upheld the DCC/PTF stance, rejecting AITA concerns altogether.
The visiting squad includes five players, two physios, a coach, a manager, and a coordinator.
Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) Secretary Col (retd) Gul Rehman and other federation officials welcomed the Indian team on their arrival to Pakistan.
