Hong Kong forfeits Davis Cup matches against Pakistan for security reasons

Citing security concerns, Hong Kong is forfeiting its Davis Cup matches against Pakistan, scheduled for next month in Islamabad.

The International Tennis Federation said on Tuesday that it “regrets and respectfully disagrees” with Hong Kong’s decision to pull out of the Zone Group matches.

The Davis Cup committee had ruled that the Pakistan Sports Complex in the capital could host the April 7-9 second-round encounter. Pakistan hosted matches against Iran in February.

Now Pakistan will face Philippines or Thailand in the third round.

The ITF said that Hong Kong’s default will now be considered by the Internal Adjudication Panel “to determine whether a breach has been committed.”

Pakistani militants have carried out numerous attacks in the country over the last decade, killing thousands of people, including police and paramilitary forces.