The India Davis Cup draw against Pakistan in Islamabad this month must be played in a "neutral" place after the last advice of independent security advisers of the International Tennis Federation, the world governing body said on Monday.
The Asia / Oceania Group I loop, originally scheduled for September 14 and 15 in Islamabad, was postponed by the ITF to November 29 and 30 after a security review amid political tensions between the neighbors.
The All India Tennis Association (AITA) had asked the ITF to change the tie to a neutral place.
"According to the Davis Cup Regulations, the Pakistan Tennis Federation now has the option to nominate a neutral place and has five business days to confirm its proposed location," the ITF said in a statement.
Tensions between neighboring countries increased after India revoked the special state of autonomy of Kashmir occupied in August. Pakistan responded to Delhi's decision by degrading diplomatic ties with India and suspending cross-border train services, the Samjhauta Express and the Thar Express, to India.
AITA named a six-member squad in August for a draw against Pakistan, but a couple of players and Captain Mahesh Bhupathi were unable to travel to the neighboring country due to security concerns.
While the national governing body chose Rohit Rajpal in the absence of Bhupathi, they will soon appoint a new team for the tie with Bhupathi that was made available again.
"We are very happy and welcome the ITF decision on the change of venue," said AITA Secretary General Hironmoy Chatterjee. Reuters by phone
"We will wait for the PTF to choose the place and then we will name our team."
Speaking to DawnNewsTVPakistan tennis ace Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi said the ITF decision was an "absolutely shameful decision" and "very disappointing."
"To be honest, I am very heartbroken," he said, adding: "We are being penalized for something we have not done."
"I was really excited to come to Pakistan and play in Pakistan against India."
Pakistan was forced to organize the Davis Cup ties in neutral places for more than a decade, as the teams refused to travel to the country for security reasons.
They played their first home draw after a 12-year gap against Iran in 2017, while Hong Kong was relegated and fined by the ITF after refusing to travel to Pakistan the same year.
An Indian tennis team traveled to Pakistan for the last time in 1964 for a Davis Cup draw, defeating the hosts 4-0, while Pakistan lost 3-2 on its last visit to India in 2006.
The winner of the Grand Double Slam doubles, Bhupathi, said it was great news and that he was "of course available" to captain the side now that the qualifier has moved from Islamabad.
"I think it's just a sensible decision with the current situation," he said in a text message.
"The Davis Cup is already a high pressure situation and having additional stress on safety issues was not ideal for anyone."
Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1515031/indias-davis-cup-tie-in-pakistan-shifted-to-neutral-venue