Qureshi and Bopanna to Play Bryans for Flood Relief

By Parvez Fatteh, Founder of http://sportingummah.com, sports@muslimobserver.com

The virtually unstoppable doubles tennis team known as the “Indo-Pak Express” will now take on its next opponent: the devastating Pakistani floods. Pakistan’s Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and India’s Rohan Bopanna will team up once again in a match against a familiar foe: Bob and Mike Bryan, of the United States, for an exhibition match, with the proceeds to go toward the Pakistani flood relief effort. The match is to take place in Dubai and is tentatively scheduled for this coming December.

“It is a great idea and I am thrilled to be part of it to help my people affected by the floods,” Qureshi told The Times of India. “We had preliminary meetings with the organizers and we may hold the event in Dubai in December,” Aisam said. Dubai was chosen because of the presence of larger stadiums as well as wealthier citizens. “It can attract community from Pakistan, India and other countries and can help in raising sufficient funds,” Qureshi said.

In addition, Dubai is also the home of tennis superstar Roger Federer as well as India’s top women’s player, Sania Mirza, and reportedly they may be part of this event also. Qureshi and Bopanna have had a nice rivalry with the Bryan brothers on the court this year. The Bryans were the victors earlier in the summer, only to have Qureshi and Bopanna turn around and beat them at an event later in the summer. The most recent showdown of course went the Bryans’ way, as they defeated Qureshi and Bopanna in the finals of the U.S Open men’s doubles competition. But the four have struck up a friendship off the court, and now that may pay dividends towards Qureshi’s flood-ravaged home country.

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