Karachi: The Pakistan Tennis federation will challenge any move by the ITF to shift the country's Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group 2 home tie against New Zealand scheduled from July 9 to 12.
New Zealand's tennis officials yesterday said they would ask the ITF to move their upcoming the tie against Pakistan to New Zealand or a neutral venue because of the volatile security situation.
A suicide bomber attacked a security agencies building in Lahore yesterday killing around 11 people.
PTF secretary, Major Rasheed told PTI that since last year the ITF had shifted two Davis Cup group ties costing Pakistani players the home advantage.
"Life is going on in Pakistan and recently we had an international boxing event in Karachi with over 18 countries sending their boxers and officials. We can’t survive by not playing at home," Rasheed said.
He said this time the PTF would resist any move to shift the tie as financial compensation was not the solution to Pakistan's need for international tennis at home.
The ITF since last year moved Pakistan's Davis Cup ties against Oman and Hong Kong due to security concerns.
Pakistan last week beat Hong Kong in the Group 2 tie in Hong Kong.
The New Zealand cricket board also refused to play a test and one-day series in Pakistan last year prompting the Pakistan to hold the matches in the UAE and the Tests in New Zealand.
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, March 09, 2010, 11:05