The Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) has refused to move their Davis Cup home tie with India to a neutral venue, telling the Indian team that they should travel to Pakistan.

India and Pakistan have drawn each other in the World Group I play-offs, set to take place in Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan. Tensions between the two countries are often high and have erupted into several wars and conflicts over the decades.

When India drew Pakistan in the Asia/Oceania Group I tie in 2019, the venue was moved to Kazakhstan due to security concerns. As a result, Pakistan's top players Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and Aqeel Kahn opted not to play in the tie as a sign of protest at the move. 

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PTF refuses to move this time

This year, the PTF has refused to change the location. Kahn and Qureshi have both expressed their hopes that the Indian team will travel to Islamabad this time around.

"I hope they come and give us a chance to host," Kahn said, while Qureshi added, "Hopefully this time it will be played in Pakistan."

Meanwhile, the PTF president Salim Saifullah Khan has echoed these sentiments, saying that they will host India on grass courts. He also praised the Indian team, saying it would send a good message to have them play in the country. 

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"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 neighbors," he said, before adding that the PTF had hosted plenty of other countries with no issues.

"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," he continued.

If the Indian Davis Cup team captained by Rohit Rapjal decides to go to Pakistan, it will be the team's first visit in 59 years. The last time that the Indian team traveled to the country was in 1964, when they defeated the hosts 4-0.

Sidhant Sibal

@sidhant

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Breaking: Intl tennis Federation says move India-Pakistan Davis Cup to be held in Islamabad to a neutral venue.

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