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India and Pakistan paired in Davis Cup

Pakistan were drawn at home to India on Wednesday in an Asian Davis Cup qualifying tie that could present political problems.

On the basis of the world rankings, India, who were seeded No.1 in the Asia Pacific draw, will be overwhelming favourites to win and advance to the World Group qualifying round.


The problem is that the Indian government froze all sporting ties between the countries after the deadly attacks on Mumbai in 2008 which were blamed on Pakistan-based militants.

"AITA does not have a choice," the All India Tennis Association Secretary General Hironmoy Chatterjee told Indian news agency PTI.

"We have to follow the government policy. We will speak to the government to know. They have not allowed any sports team to travel to Pakistan."

The tie is due to be played in September.

There is a long history of sporting boycotts between the countries and no foreign cricket team has toured Pakistan since Pakistan hosted Uzbekistan and South Korea last year on grass courts in Islamabad.

India and Pakistan have met six times in the competition, though three of those meetings came in consecutive seasons from 1962-4. India have won every time, racking up an emphatic 23-4 aggregate score in total rubbers.

In 1971, the two nations were drawn together but the tie was not played with India awarded a walkover.

India have played in Pakistan twice, both times in Lahore, but the most recent of those visits was in March 1964, with India winning 4-0.

The two nations met at a neutral venue, in Kuala Lumpur, in 1972.

Pakistan have visited India since, losing at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai, 3-2, in 2006. That was the only time Pakistan have taken India to the final rubber.

"It's a good draw for us with the depth in our team," said Mahesh Bhupathi, who played in the winning doubles pair in 2006 and is now India's Davis Cup captain. "We are looking forward to winning and getting back to the World Group Play-offs again."

Neither Bhupathi nor India coach Zeeshan Ali would comment when asked by PTI if the government should allow the team to travel, or if they are willing to travel, to Pakistan.

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  • Coaching Inn Group scores 81 per cent customer satisfaction, beating Marriott and Hilton.
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A traditional pub hotel group has outperformed luxury international chains in the UK's largest guest satisfaction survey, while one major operator continues its decade-long streak at the bottom of the rankings.
The Coaching Inn Group, comprising 36 relaxed inn-style hotels in historic buildings across beauty spots and market towns, achieved the highest customer score of 81per cent among large chains in Which?'s annual hotel survey. The group earned five stars for customer service and accuracy of descriptions, with guests praising its "lovely locations and excellent food and service.
"The survey, conducted amongst 4,631 guests, asked respondents to rate their stays across eight categories including cleanliness, customer service, breakfast quality, bed comfort and value for money. At an average £128 per night, Coaching Inn demonstrated that mid-range pricing with consistent quality appeals to British travellers.
J D Wetherspoon Hotels claimed both the Which? Recommended Provider status (WRPs) and Great Value badge for the first time, offering rooms at just £70 per night while maintaining four-star ratings across most categories. Guests described their stays as "clean, comfortable and good value.
"Among boutique chains, Hotel Indigo scored 79 per cent with its neighbourhood-inspired design, while InterContinental achieved 80per cent despite charging over £300 per night, and the chain missed WRP status for this reason.

Budget brands decline

However, Premier Inn, long considered Britain's reliable budget choice, lost its recommended status this year. Despite maintaining comfortable beds, guests reported "standards were slipping" and prices "no longer budget levels" at an average £94 per night.

The survey's biggest disappointment remains Britannia Hotels, scoring just 44 per cent and one star for bedroom and bathroom quality. This marks twelve consecutive years at the bottom, with guests at properties like Folkestone's Grand Burstin calling it a total dive.

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