Tennis: NZ to host Davis Cup tie against Pakistan

New Zealand will now host their Asia/Oceania Davis Cup tennis tie against Pakistan in July, because of security concerns in that country.

Under the original schedule, New Zealand were to travel to Pakistan for the second round fixture after defeating Sri Lanka.

Pakistan got past Hong Kong to earn hosting rights.

However, Tennis New Zealand approached the International Tennis Federation (ITF) last week asking to host the tie or at least have it played at a neutral venue but, at that stage, Pakistan still wanted to host the tie.

In a letter to the Pakistan and New Zealand associations, the ITF Davis Cup committee said: "... due to the existing security concerns that continue to surround the hosting of sporting events in Pakistan, the Davis Cup committee met last week to review the situation, deciding on this occasion to reverse the choice of ground for this tie, resulting in New Zealand now having choice of ground".

Tennis NZ said it was now looking for a suitable venue for the tie. The venue will be confirmed next month.

Its operations and events manager Tracy Hall said the ITF decision released today was very pleasing.

"A lot of our players had expressed concerns and did not want to travel to Pakistan.

"Security concerns were an issue going over there so we are glad with the decision to have it hosted in New Zealand."

She did not know what Pakistan's reaction was to the switch in venue but she thought "their hopes (of playing hosts) were diminished on Friday due to some bombings in Lahore".

Dozens were killed when two suicide bombers tried to blow up a military convoy passing a busy Lahore market on Friday.

It was the second bombing in the city last week after a car bombing on Monday at a police interrogation centre killed 14 people.

Recent Davis Cup ties hosted in New Zealand have been in Taranaki (against China, 2008), North Shore City (v Malaysia, 2009) and Hamilton (v Indonesia, 2009) and Hall said applications to host the tie would be considered shortly.

The New Zealand team for the tie will be announced in mid-June.

- NZPA