Confounding the pessimists, who had predicted a whitewash for Pakistan against the odds-on favourites, Thailand, the former had their crowning moment when they swept aside the latter in the Asia-Oceania Davis Cup Group I match at the Cosmopolitan Club of Lahore's Bage-i-Jinnah. The margin of victory for the home quartet may appear to be slim but it was only because the country's top star, Aqeel Khan, was not fielded in the reverse singles and a reserve selectee, Shahzad Khan, was asked to face Thailand's No 2, Danai Udomehoke, who beat the Pakistani youngster in straight sets.
Maybe the tennis officials wanted to provide exposure to Shahzad in an important contest. Though Aqeel put up a stiff resistance to Paradon Srichaphan, Asia's No 1 and presently rated 33 in the world, in a match that had its ups and downs and lasted for two hours and 17 minutes, he ultimately came out winners.
However, tennis followers may be within their right to criticise the officials for spoiling the record of Aqeel, hero of Pakistan's impressive success against New Zealand in the Group I playoff last year.
Aisamul Haq, a globe-trotter who plays abroad throughout the year, was in the apogee of form both against Danai in the first singles and latterly in the reverse singles when Paradon was supposed to parade a higher level of disciplined tennis, technique and tactics.
Yet Aisam had the toughness of nerves and with quick court coverage, a booming first service and cyclonic volleying annihilated the game plan of the famed Thai who had been seen to be a gutsy player on the courts of Wimbledon and the Flushing Meadows in the US Open.
The first reverse singles match was crucial for the outcome of the tie and when Paradon netted in the fourth set the encounter had been sealed in favour of Pakistan and despite having a rating of 17 in the Davis Cup to the host nation's 34 the Thais surprisingly surrendered the match.
Perhaps Paradon, the Thai trump card, had become too much wearied after taking on the Pakistanis in both the singles and doubles which was an alien field for him, yet he had the reputation of having a better staying capacity as displayed in the Grand Slam tussles. Aisam's 20 aces against 13 hit by Paradon and the control he exhibited in his strokes and the furious overheads almost put out the Thai champion.
No doubt the Thai, previously rated globally as No 11, lost in four sets the fare shown by the two stars was spectacular and of a high order, which enthralled the understanding spectators at Bagh-i-Jinnah. The major reasons for Aisam's success were his better rapidity on the surface, more than Paradon could show, his physical fitness on the day, which was a key element in the duel, and the elegant way he handled the shots of Paradon, mostly ground strokes.
The weather was clear and pleasant throughout the three days the match was staged. The Thais, having a modern serve-and-volley game, may complain of being provided a slow grass court but Paris and Scandinavia organise matches on clay; even Wimbledon is not as fast as the hard surface at Flushing Meadows or the synthetic court in Melbourne, which hosts the Australian Open. It was Pakistan's turn to choose the surface of their piking.
Thailand had blanked out Pakistan 5-0 last year on the fast Bangkok courts easefully yet Pakistan turned the tables on Thailand on grass on their own backyard and setting. It was just a sweet revenge for the host country.
The old-timers may have recalled the efffort of Aisam's famed maternal grand-father, Iftikhar Ahmad when he had taken sets in the forties, from Hall Surface, America's No 4, and Lenart Bergelin, later on a coach of the world renowned Swede, Bjorn Borg. Iftikhar planned his attack cleverly and carried it out with his left hand to its ultimate end.
Iftikhar was more known for his doubles game, where he was seen as a fine volleyer and a crisp smasher. Aisam looks more varied and resourceful in his strokeplay, both in singles and doubles, and is adept at the modern big game.
Though Aisam lost the third set to Danai he was totally unruffled by the hard drives and volleying of his Thai rival. In fact in the fourth set Aisam was head and shoulders above his Thai rival. Aqeel, as mentioned above, lost to a better adversary but gave of his best for the country, displaying weaponry that the experts thought would make him a good player to challenge the regional top-liners. It will be advisable for the tennis federation to send him abroad to try his luck in the Grand Slams of Europe, America and Australia.
Besides, synthetic courts, now more popular globally, should be built in the main sporting centres to make the home racket-wielders all court players.
The domestic tournaments are day by day getting lesser in number. The need is to seek more sponsorship to organise competitions in major cities on a regular basis.
In the Davis Cup duels, won by Pakistan, the doubles success helped the country to cross the difficult barrier easily for the winners had to bag only one singles. Aqeel and Aisam hardly play together in the land. It is necessary to build up and train another pair which practises together and contests in domestic tournaments showing disciplined harmony and co-ordination.
The next challenge against Taiwan will be much more difficult and straining for they had routed Pakistan last year by 5-0. That reverse was in Taipei. Pakistan will this time be having the advantage of playing on a venue and surface of their choice.
Let us hope the result goes in Pakistan's favour for a chance for them to enter the covetous World Group. The preparations should start straightaway for only after some weeks the battle will begin.