Pakistan appeal against Davis Cup shift

Pakistan said Monday they had appealed against a decision by the International Tennis Federation to relocate next year's Davis Cup tie with Lebanon over security fears.

The Asia Oceania group II tie was due to be played in Lahore in February but the ITF overturned the decision. "We have filed an appeal with them in the hope that as there is still time for the event and that they reconsider," Pakistan Tennis Federation secretary Mumtaz Yousuf told journalists.

Yousuf said the decision was disappointing as Lebanon were ready to play in Lahore, Pakistan's eastern city where militants attacked the Sri Lankan cricket team in March 2009.

"Lebanon was ready to play in Pakistan but the ITF had expressed its reservations over security concerns, which we found premature," said Yousuf. A final decision on the location of the tie has yet to be taken.

Pakistan lost to South Korea 4-1 in July this year. Their best Davis Cup performance was in 2005, when they reached the World Group play-offs.

Since 2010, Pakistan's home Davis Cup ties against Hong Kong, Oman, New Zealand and the Philippines have all been relocated over security fears.

Pakistan became a "no-go" zone for international sport after the March 2009 attack on the Sri Lankan team. AFP