LAHORE - Pakistan's ace tennis player Aisam-ul-Haq and non playing captain of the Davis Cup team Rashid Malik believe that July's tie against Philippines would be very tough. Talking jointly to The Nation here on the opening day of an informal practice session at the Bagh-i-Jinnah courts, they pointed out that Pakistan was not given any advantage by the ITF for shifting the tie. "We asked for neutral venue if not Pakistan but the ITF took the decision in haste when the situation in Pakistan is improving. In this hour of crisis when Pakistan is single-handedly fighting terrorism, the whole world should stay behind it and hold more and more sporting events here instead of allowing the terrorists win," said Aisam. The Philippines is holding the tie in an indoor clay court arena which would be very difficult hurdle for Pakistan to overcome, said Malik. Aisam said that he would be training for one week with his captain Malik and then fly to Thailand for another week of training. "I will be leaving for Uzbekistan from Thailand and then go to Europe for a couple of tournaments before participating in the Wimbledon qualifiers," he said. He said that he would join the team in Manila about three days before the tie. He further pointed out that he would be the difference in the team because in the previous tie Pakistan lost to the Philippines but this now depends upon how things go and how the Pakistan team adjusts to the conditions. "The tie would be interesting to play. I would say it has come as a real challenge," said Malik. "This time too we would be relying on both our key players Aisam and Aqeel while Jalil Khan and Yasir Khan would make the Davis Cup team. "We are sending Aqeel to play some future tournaments and he would be joining the team in Manila after participating in ITF Futures in Malaysia and so would Aisam from England," Malik said. He further said that in the pervious tie he and Aisam were not part of the team and his (Aisam's) presence would be a plus point for Pakistan. Malik said as both Aisam and Aqeel would be busy in circuit he has lined up some national players for a supporting role to give best possible training to Jalil and Yasir. He informed that he has planned to begin the camp training from May 25 to June 25 and after a week's rest fly to Manila on July 1 to have at least 15 sessions of training before entering the tie on July 10. To a question, Malik said that he would go for a win first and when he is sure of a Pakistan win, only then he would opt for Jalil and Yasir.