KUALA LUMPUR: Lee Zii Jia is enjoying a rich vein of form at the Asian Championships (BAC) in Ningbo, China.
The question, however, is will the high flying 26-year-old lead Malaysia's challenge in the Thomas Cup later this month?
On Thursday, the world No. 11 stormed into the quarter-finals of the BAC after soundly beating Taiwan's former world No. 2 Chou Tien Chen 21-15, 21-17 in the second round.
The win was Zii Jia's fourth over the veteran Taiwan ace in nine meetings.
Given his current form and past record in team events, it only seems right for Zii Jia to be part of the Thomas Cup team.
But will he and the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) reach an agreement before the closing date for the Thomas Cup team registration on April 13?
In an interview with Shuttle Times on Wednesday, Zii Jia expressed his readiness to be part of the Thomas Cup team.
However, the former All England champion, through his manager Lee Zii Yii and coach Wong Tat Meng, had earlier indicated he might skip the Thomas Cup on April 27-May 5 to focus on his preparations for the Paris Olympics.
It is understood that BAM will announce their finalised squads for the Thomas and Uber Cup Finals on April 12.
According to former international, Datuk James Selvaraj, playing for the country in the Thomas Cup is among the highest and most respected achievements in a shuttler's career.
As such, James believes that players must put aside their differences and not make unreasonable demands when called up for national duty.
"To me, playing in the Thomas Cup is one of the greatest honours and achievements in a shuttler's career, way more prestigious than even the World Championships.
"History will show you that Malaysia has done well in the past because we had team unity.
"My advice goes out to all the players, not just Zii Jia. If you are called up, give your best for the country, come together for centralised training camp and build on team unity and spirit," James said.
Meanwhile, men's doubles Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani continued their fairy-tale run at the BAC by checking into the quarter-finals.
One day after stunning world champions and second seeds Kang Min Hyuk-Seo Seung Jae of South Korea in the first round, Sze Fei-Izzuddin, with a little bit of good fortune, upset homesters He Ji Ting-Ren Xiang Yu in the second.
The Malaysian world No. 19 pair won the first game 21-11 before their Chinese opponents retired from the match after Xiang Yu sustained a lower back injury.
Sze Fei-Izzuddin, who are also being considered for the Thomas Cup squad, will take on reigning Olympic champions Lee Yang-Wang Chi Lin of Taiwan next.