News by “Sports Reporter“
The Indian tennis contingent touched down in Pakistan on Sunday, marking a significant milestone in their sporting history. After a hiatus of 60 years, the team arrived in Islamabad to compete in the Davis Cup Group I tie against Pakistan at the Sports Complex Grass Court scheduled for February 3-4, as reported by The News on Monday.
India holds a commanding 7-0 lead in the head-to-head record against Pakistan, with only two encounters, in 1973 and 2019, being played at neutral venues. The last time the Indian team set foot in Pakistan for a tennis fixture was back in 1964.
According to The News, the All-Indian Tennis Association (AITA) left no stone unturned in attempting to shift the hosting rights away from Pakistan. Initially, they sought intervention from the Davis Cup Committee and subsequently from the Chair of the Independent Tribunal to relocate the tie to a neutral venue.
Despite their efforts, AITA’s endeavors were unsuccessful. With no viable alternatives, the Indian team was left with a binary choice: either honor the commitment to travel to Pakistan for the tie or risk facing penalties from the International Tennis Federation (ITF), including a possible fine and relegation.
Faced with the prospect of punitive measures and potential consequences for their standing in the tournament, the Indian team eventually acquiesced and journeyed to Pakistan, arriving in the federal capital late Sunday evening.
The News highlights that this development marks a rare instance where Pakistan’s stance prevailed over India’s objections on the international stage, not once but twice within a few months. Initially, it was the Davis Cup Committee’s decision to uphold Pakistan’s hosting rights, followed by the affirmation from the Chair of the Independent Tribunal, dismissing AITA’s concerns outright.
