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KARACHI – Pakistan’s under-12 boys’ tennis team delivered a commanding performance on Thursday, defeating arch-rivals India 2-0 in the semifinals of the Asian Tennis Federation (ATF) U12 South Asia Championship, and securing a place in the final against hosts Sri Lanka.
In a match filled with anticipation and high stakes, Pakistan’s young talents remained unfazed. Rashid Ali opened the tie with a confident 6-2, 6-3 win over B.C. Thanush Shekar, before Muhammad Shayan Afridi sealed the deal by dismantling Khatri Nayan 6-0, 6-1.
The result not only extended Pakistan’s unbeaten run in the tournament but also reaffirmed the country’s growing strength in grassroots tennis.
“A proud moment for Pakistan tennis”
Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) President Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, a former international star, praised the squad’s outstanding performance.
“Beating our arch-rival India in the semifinal is a tremendous achievement,” Aisam said. “Hopefully, tomorrow we will defeat Sri Lanka and lift the championship.”
PTF Secretary General Col. Zia-ud-Din Tufail lauded the team’s consistency, calling their run “simply amazing.”
Perfect Run to the Final
Pakistan has been flawless throughout the competition. In the group stage, the team whitewashed Maldives, Bangladesh, and Nepal 3-0 in each tie, without losing a single match. The semifinal victory over India continued that perfect streak and added emotional weight given the intense sports rivalry between the two nations.
This result also comes in stark contrast to Pakistan’s narrow loss to India in the under-16 Davis Cup encounter in Kazakhstan last week—making Thursday’s win even sweeter for fans and officials alike.
Eyes on the Championship
Pakistan will now face Sri Lanka in the final on Friday. While the hosts will benefit from home support, Pakistan’s dominant form makes them strong contenders for the title.
A win would mark a significant achievement for Pakistan’s youth tennis, spotlighting the emergence of new talent and the success of the country’s developmental programs.
Regardless of the outcome, this under-12 team has made a bold statement: Pakistan is rising fast in South Asian tennis—and doing it in style.
