Karachi: They may no longer be partners on the international circuit but Pakistan's top tennis player Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi has not given up on the idea of teaming up with India's Rohan Bopanna for a 'peace match' to bolster Indo-Pak ties.
Bopanna and Qureshi parted ways after the Indian decided to team up with compatriot Mahesh Bhupathi for this season.
"We may no longer be playing as a doubles team but we have not given up on the idea of having an Indo-Pak tennis peace match. It is still very much on the cards, but depends on getting the green signal from the governments," Aisam said.
Aisam, who recently got married in Lahore, said he and Rohan were still interested in having the match as they were ambassadors for peace in sports.
"But since a lot of security issues are involved with having the match, we have written to the governments to give the green signal. When that happens, we will plan out the match."
Aisam said after playing for so long with Rohan as his doubles partner, it would take time for him to understand the game and character of his new partner.
"We have just played in three tournaments together and we are learning about each other. It will take time but I think this doubles partnership can work out well for both of us," he said.
Aisam also reiterated his desire to form a mixed doubles partnership with Sania Mirza on the international circuit. Sania is married to former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik but has retained her Indian nationality, and both have set up home in Dubai.
"If Shoaib (Malik) doesn't mind, I would like to form a doubles partnership with Sania and I think it would work out well," Aisam said.
"My partnership with Sania, if she agrees, makes all the more sense now given that she is now our bhabhi."
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