Pakistan’s Davis Cup team has been relegated to Group II after their recent loss to India. The International Tennis Federation announced the draws on Friday, revealing that Pakistan, currently ranked 45th, will face Barbados in an away tie in September. Barbados will have the advantage of choosing the ground for the tie.
If Pakistan manages to win this tie, they will once again qualify for the World Group I play-offs next year. However, if they suffer a defeat, they will be relegated to the World Group II play-offs.
Former Davis Cup Captain Hameed ul Haq expressed his doubts on Pakistan’s chances of winning an away tie, stating that the team’s record in away ties since 2016 does not inspire confidence. Pakistan has played in five away ties during that period and has lost all of them.
Hameed ul Haq further revealed the team’s poor performance in these away ties, losing all 22 matches they played. To list a few examples, Pakistan was defeated by China 5-0 in March 2016, New Zealand 5-0 in September 2016, India 4-0 in November 2019, Austria 4-0 in September 2022, Lithuania 4-0, and Austria 4-0 in February 2023.
Interestingly, Hameed ul Haq pointed out that even after the likes of Aisam-ul-Haq and Aqeel Khan, who have been notable players for Pakistan in the Davis Cup, the current roster does not possess a satisfactory record. The top player for Pakistan at the moment is M Shoaib, who has won one Davis Cup match in his career but lost seven. The second-best player, Muzammil Murtaza, has lost all seven Davis Cup matches he has played, while M Abid, ranked third, has also lost all five matches. Yousaf Khalil, ranked fourth, lost the only Davis Cup match he participated in thus far.
Hameed ul Haq emphasized that the combined track record of these top players, with only one win in 20 Davis Cup matches, reflects the challenges Pakistan is likely to face in the upcoming tie against Barbados.