Pakistan thump Kazakhstan in Junior Davis Cup tie.

LAHORE -- Sensational Pakistani kids continued their good show in the Junior Davis Cup 2019 at Bangkok, Thailand as they overcame strong Kazakhstan 2-1.

Zalan Khan began Pakistan's campaign against Kazakhstan's Nikita Sidorov, who, after facing some resistance from Pakistani kid, won the match 7-5, 6-1. Zalan fought well in the first set and matched fire with fire till the end before losing the set 5-7. After playing so well, Zalan was nowhere in the second set, as Nikita fully dominated the second set and won it 6-1.

The second match was very crucial for Pakistan and all the responsibilities were on the shoulders of Abdullah Adnan, who not only proved his credentials at this crucial stage but also provided Pakistan much-needed three-set victory, which kept Pakistan's hopes alive. Abdullah had to struggle hard to beat Zhanger Almashev 6-3, 6-7, 6-4.

In the decisive doubles match, Pakistani kids Abudllah/Zalan displayed outstanding tennis skills and techniques to edge out Kazakhstan's pair of Timur/Nikita 4-6, 6-3, 10-8. Players of both sides were giving out their best and matching fire with fire and in the end, Pakistani players held their nerves to overcome spirited Kazakh players to win the match, thus won the tie 2-1. Pakistan will play the third and last playoff tie against Sri Lanka today (Saturday).

Talking to The Nation, Pakistan junior Davis Cup team non-playing captain Rashid Malik termed it well-deserved victory for Pakistan over strong Kazakhstan. 'Pakistan team played superb tennis to win the crucial tie. Now Philippines and Kazakhstan have been relegated to pre-qualifying next year. I had...