BIG: India-Pak Davis Cup tie shifted from Islamabad to neutral venue

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) on Monday, decided to shift the India-Pakistan Davis Cup match from Islamabad to a neutral venue due to security concerns. This comes after the All India Tennis Association (AITA) had made repeated requests to the world governing body to shift the November 29-30 tie to a neutral venue, citing safety concerns. According to Davis Cup regulations, the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) now has five working days to choose and confirm their proposed venue. 

Official Statement by ITF 

The ITF issued the following statement regarding Pakistan's Asia/Oceania Group I tie against India scheduled for next month: “Following an in-depth security review of the current situation in Pakistan by independent expert security advisors, the Davis Cup Committee has taken the decision to postpone the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group I tie between Pakistan and India in Islamabad, due to be played on 14-15 September. The Committee concluded that this is an exceptional circumstance while the first priority of the ITF is the safety and security of athletes, officials, and spectators. The tie has been rescheduled for November, with the exact dates to be confirmed by the Committee no later than 9 September. The ITF will continue to monitor the situation in Pakistan and the Davis Cup Committee will re-convene to re-examine the security situation in advance of the tie." 

Read: Davis Cup: AITA writes to ITF over shifting tie; PTF President fumes

Read: AITA's decision on Indo-Pak Davis Cup tie post ITF's 'security review'

AITA on playing in Pakistan 

AITA for a very long time has maintained that the atmosphere was not conducive to play in Pakistan ever since the Indian government revoked Article 370 of the Constitution which gave special status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir and made it a union territory. Ever since the abrogation of Article 370 Pakistan had opposed the move while India said it was the country's internal matter. Pakistan has taken to warmongering, spreading fake news with the intention of disturbing the atmosphere, and pushing terrorists into Indian territory. The AITA was willing to send its team to Islamabad if ITF had insisted as the federation also announced former player and chairman of selectors Rohit Rajpal as non-playing captain of the side for the matches. 

AITA President Parveen Mahajan said, "Rohit will stay as captain of the side. He will talk to the top players if they are available”.  

(With PTI Inputs)

Read: AITA: ITF to take a final call on India’s Davis Cup tie against Pak

Read: Pakistan hub of terrorism, spreading deceitful narrative: India at UN