Pakistan’s tennis squad made a sensational debut at the ITF Masters 45+ World Championship in Manavgat, Turkey, clinching a hard-fought bronze medal in a tournament featuring 21 nations. Led by captain Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and boosted by standout performances from Aqeel Khan and Shehryar Salamat, the team demonstrated skill and determination throughout the event.
In the group stage, Pakistan dominated with commanding 3-0 wins over both Romania and host Turkey, setting the stage for a resilient run into the knockout rounds of the ITF event.
Carrying that momentum into the quarterfinals, the team edged past the Czech Republic 2-1 in a nail-biting match, showcasing their persistence and team spirit as they fought for a spot in the semifinals.
The semifinal clash against France proved to be a formidable challenge. Despite putting up a valiant fight, Pakistan ultimately fell 2-1, as France clinched the decisive doubles match.
Not ready to go home empty-handed, Team Pakistan regrouped for the third-place match against Germany. Although captain Aisam-ul-Haq had to retire from his singles match, Aqeel Khan stepped up with a commanding win. The duo then combined forces in the doubles to clinch a crucial 2-1 victory, sealing the bronze medal.
With this historic achievement, the team now turns its focus to the individual events scheduled for the second week of the championship, aiming to add even more glory to their campaign.
