Pakistan will hold their first Davis Cup tie in over 12 years in February 2017 after the International Tennis Federation granted its approval to resume hosting Davis Cup ties, reported AFP on Thursday. Pakistan will play Iran in the first round match of the Asia/Oceania Group II that will be held from February 3 to 5.
After losing to New Zealand 0-5 in the second-round Play-offs in the Asia/Oceania Group I in the away tie in Christchurch in September, Pakistan were relegated to Group II of the Asia/Oceania Zone. The top-seeded team in the Group, Pakistan have a 2-1 head-to-head against Iran.
Pakistan’s last home tie came against New Zealand in 2004, in the second-round Play-offs in the Asia/Oceania Group I in the capital, Islamabad. Pakistan went on to defeat New Zealand 3-2 to maintain their place in the Group I that year.
In the following years, due to security concerns, conducting tournaments in the country became difficult as other nations were disinclined to send their teams to Pakistan. While cricket matches are still being held in the United Arab Emirates, tennis’ return to Pakistan is equally significant.
Ranked 45th in the Davis Cup team rankings, Pakistan’s best results in the Davis Cup came in 2005. That year, they reached the World Group Play-offs where they were routed 5-0 by Chile. Before the introduction of the current format in 1981, Pakistan’s best result in the tournament came in 1984 when they made it to the final of the Eastern Zone, before bowing out to Japan.
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