Coach Zeeshan Ali on India’s Davis Cup tie in Pakistan: ‘Experience has been great so far, we are here with a purpose and that is to win’

An Indian tennis team has travelled to Pakistan for the Davis Cup for the first time in 60 years, for the upcoming World Group 1 playoff tie to be played on the grass courts of Islamabad between February 3-4. But given the tight security cover that has been granted to them, they are yet to experience the atmosphere of the city or judge the reception they will receive from the people.

“The experience has been great so far but we have been under very strict security conditions,” Zeeshan Ali, India coach and captain for the tie, told The Indian Express over the phone from Islamabad. “We went from the airport to the hotel, and then to the practice venues and back to the hotel. We have not been moving around the city and have not gotten a chance to interact with anyone. What we have seen so far has been fabulous, the hotel is catering to our needs and the food is great. Can’t expect more, really.”

Sporting ties have been frosty between the two countries due to geopolitical tensions – when India were scheduled to play a Davis Cup tie in Pakistan in 2019, the tie was moved to the neutral venue of Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan; India’s request for the same was denied this year. It remains rare for an Indian sports team or group of athletes to tour the country.

However, given the circumstances, the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) have ensured a security cover usually reserved for heads of state for the Indian contingent, limiting their movement around the city. A dinner held at the Indian Consulate on Wednesday will be the team’s first outing away from the hotel and practice venue.

Ali says that the group is aware of the novelty of being able to play in Pakistan, and that the sporting rivalry between the two countries has resonance back home. But the team needs no extra motivation than the simple fact that they are playing in the Davis Cup for the country.

“We were aware of the security measures beforehand, so we came prepared. This has no impact on the players mentally. I know that, in some ways, this is a historic tie since we are coming here for the Davis Cup for the first time in 60 years. All of us are aware of that history and what that means. A match like this does not really happen very often. But at the same time, we are not here to sightsee, we are here with a purpose. The focus remains on winning the tie for India this weekend and if we can experience a good (atmosphere), that’s a plus.”

“India and Pakistan may not be playing much, but individually, the players are in contact with each other on the tour, and some of the Pakistani players have played in India as well. So, again, this is not a new experience for them,” Ali added.

Among the familiar faces in the Pakistan camp are veterans Aqeel Khan and Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi. Qureshi, the 43-year-old doubles specialist who could feature in singles too, has a bigger connection with India, once reaching the men’s doubles final of the 2010 US Open alongside Rohan Bopanna. While speaking during an Idea Exchange with The Indian Express back in 2021, Qureshi lamented the breakdown of sporting ties between the two countries.

“It is disappointing that for political reasons, these things are not happening and sports are getting affected. Sports and arts, that’s the beauty about it that we don’t rate people because of the culture or religion or which country they belong from. And it should be left like that,” he had said. “For me, it’s disappointing that Indians can’t come to Pakistan to play, or Pakistanis can’t go to India to play either.”

Three years on, Qureshi will be getting his wish this weekend.

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