LONDON: Pakistan were drawn at home to India on Wednesday in an Asian Davis Cup qualifying tie that could present political problems.
On the basis of the world rankings, India, who were seeded No.1 in the Asia Pacific draw, will be overwhelming favorites to win and advance to the World Group qualifying round.
The problem is that the Indian government froze all sporting ties between the countries after the deadly attacks on Mumbai in 2008 which were blamed on Pakistan-based militants.
“AITA does not have a choice,” the All India Tennis Association Secretary General Hironmoy Chatterjee told Indian news agency PTI.
“We have to follow the government policy. We will speak to the government to know. They have not allowed any sports team to travel to Pakistan.”
The tie is due to be played in September.
There is a long history of sporting boycotts between the countries and no foreign cricket team has toured Pakistan since Pakistan hosted Uzbekistan and South Korea last year on grass courts in Islamabad.
India and Pakistan have met six times in the competition, though three of those meetings came in consecutive seasons from 1962-4. India have won every time, racking up an emphatic 23-4 aggregate score in total rubbers.
In 1971, the two nations were drawn together but the tie was not played with India awarded a walkover.
India have played in Pakistan twice, both times in Lahore, but the most recent of those visits was in March 1964, with India winning 4-0.
The two nations met at a neutral venue, in Kuala Lumpur, in 1972.
Pakistan have visited India since, losing at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai, 3-2, in 2006. That was the only time Pakistan have taken India to the final rubber.
“It’s a good draw for us with the depth in our team,” said Mahesh Bhupathi, who played in the winning doubles pair in 2006 and is now India’s Davis Cup captain. “We are looking forward to winning and getting back to the World Group Play-offs again.”
Neither Bhupathi nor India coach Zeeshan Ali would comment when asked by PTI if the government should allow the team to travel, or if they are willing to travel, to Pakistan.
Pakistan and India paired in politically prickly Davis Cup draw
Pakistan and India paired in politically prickly Davis Cup draw
- Indian government froze all sporting ties with Pakistan after Mumbai attacks
- The two nations met at a neutral venue
Late Nandez winner keeps Al-Qadsiah’s title hopes alive
- Al-Qadsiah move to 47 points, 3 behind leaders Al-Hilal, who are yet to play on Matchday 22
- Al-Taawoun fairytale run loses steam as Pericles Chamusca’s side continue difficult spell
RIYADH: All signs pointed to an unlikely title charge for Al-Qadsiah when they held Al-Hilal to a 2-2 draw in Dammam at the end of January.
Since then, it has been a testing period for Brendan Rodgers’ side.
While they remain unbeaten under the Northern Irishman, Al-Qadsiah have struggled to replicate their earlier intensity as fatigue begins to take its toll.
Despite those challenges, Al-Qadsiah have collected seven points from their last nine, with a dramatic late winner from Nahitan Nandez securing a valuable 1-0 victory over a resilient NEOM side. The road to those three points was anything but easy.
Al-Qadsiah should have been ahead inside three minutes. A high press initiated by Julian Quinones and Mateo Retegui forced NEOM goalkeeper Luis Maximiano into a costly error, with his attempted clearance falling straight to the Italian. The 2024/25 Serie A top scorer struck the post with the goal at his mercy, allowing NEOM to breathe a sigh of relief.
What followed was a tactical battle between Rodgers and Christophe Galtier.
The hosts made a few changes from their previous outing, with Nandez occupying the right flank instead of Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat, while Ali Hazazi slotted into midfield.
NEOM mirrored the system, with their wingers tracking Nandez and Christopher Bonsu Baah as they dropped into a 5-4-1 defensive shape. Faris Abdi was a key outlet for the visitors, surging down the left flank on multiple occasions to support Luciano Rodriguez and Alexandre Lacazette.
It was Rodriguez and Lacazette who fashioned NEOM’s most dangerous chances of the night.
In the 38th minute, Koen Casteels denied Rodriguez with a powerful save. Minutes later, a cutback found Lacazette inside the box, but Casteels was again equal to the effort.
The Belgian emerged as the standout performer, making seven saves to keep Al-Qadsiah in contention. His efforts almost went unrewarded, however, as Retegui failed to convert further chances and Quinones endured his first game in 10 without a goal contribution.
Al-Qadsiah eventually grabbed the winner in the dying moments when a cross from Bonsu Baah was flicked on by new signing Waleed Al-Ahmed into the path of Nandez. The Uruguayan powered home what could prove to be the most valuable goal of the season, keeping Al-Qadsiah firmly in the title hunt.
Elsewhere, Damac enjoyed a perfect start under new manager Fabio Carille, as the Knights from the South secured their second win of the campaign with a 2-1 victory over Al-Taawoun.
Yakou Meite scored twice to give Damac their first win since late December, while Al-Taawoun drifted further from the top four after another match without victory.
The result moves Damac three points clear of Al-Riyadh in 16th place, easing immediate relegation concerns.
Meanwhile, Omar Al-Somah continued his pursuit of the all-time Saudi Pro League scoring record with a late winner for Al-Hazem. The hosts defeated Al-Okhdood 2-1 to climb temporarily into 11th, 12 points clear of the drop zone.
Saudi Pro League action returns on Friday, with Al-Shabab hosting Al-Ahli in Riyadh, Al-Hilal welcoming Al-Ettifaq and Al-Ittihad facing Al-Fayha to close out the day’s action.
