Pak player faces ban for
pairing with Israeli

Pakistan's sports officials are upset over the pairing of their ace tennis player Aisamul Haq Qureshi with an Israeli at the Wimbledon doubles tournament.

They said since Pakistan has no links with Israel, Qureshi could be banned.

"Although he is playing in his private capacity we officially condemn his playing with an Israeli player; an explanation has been sought from him," Pakistan Sports Board director Brigadier Saulat Abbas said.

Qureshi and Amir Hadad upset 11th seeds Rick Leech of the United States and Ellis Ferreira of South Africa 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 on Friday to reach the third round of the men's doubles.

In reaching the third round, the 22-year-old Qureshi made history, becoming the first Pakistani to do so in a Grand Slam event.

Pakistan Tennis Federation president Syed Dilawar Abbas too condemned the partnership, saying: "We have sought an explanation from Qureshi and if advised by the government we may take action."

Qureshi, who had impressed on the ITF curcuit in India last year, played a key role in Pakistan's Davis Cup semi-final win over Chinese Taipei in the Asia Oceania Zone group II match in Lahore, which the hosts won 4-1. He beat Wei-Jen Cheng 6-1, 6-2, and Simon Shen 7-6 (7-5), 6-3 (ret), and paired with Aqeel Khan in the doubles to beat Simon Shen/Chia-Che Liu 6-4, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.