Muzhaf Zia will be Captain (non-playing) of the Davis Cup team, for the World Group 1 tie to be played Vs Japan

The Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) is pleased to announce the nomination of the Captain (non-playing) of the Davis Cup team, for the World Group 1 tie to be played Vs Japan, in Islamabad, in the first week of March 2021.

Muzhaf Zia, former Davis Cupper, having served in this role in the past, including the tie against Slovenia in March 2020, which Pakistan won 3-0, surprising a top class European team, has been entrusted with the responsibility for the upcoming tie. Considering his sterling record and past services, the nomination is expected to be approved by the ITF, as is required per procedures, without any observations.

The PTF Executive Committee (EC) also decided to undertake trials for selecting 3 remaining players of the Davis Cup Team, top stars Aisam ul Haq Qureshi and Aqeel Khan, already being in the team, and exempted from trials. Prevalent Davis Cup rules allow a max of 5 players, in addition to a non-playing Captain.

Trials will be be held in Islamabad starting on the 18th of Jan. On directions of the PTF President, the top 8 nationally-ranked players, following Aqeel Khan, have been invited to participate. According to the latest National Rankings, as of end-Dec 2020, these are:

• Muzammil Murtaza.
• Muhammad Shoaib.
• Muhammad Abid
• Heera Ashiq
• Shahzad Khan
• Mudasir Murtaza
• Ahmed Choudhary
• Yousaf Khalil

Shahzad Akhtar Alvi, ITF White Badge Umpire, and head of Officiating of the PTF, and the Captain, Mushaf Zia, will supervise the trials, to be held on Round-Robin format.