Aqeel Khan, Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and teammates ship Pakistan’s best-ever end within the 45+ class
ISLAMBAD:
Pakistan produced its finest-ever efficiency on the ITF Masters World Crew Championships, securing the silver medal within the 45+ age class after a carefully contested 2-1 defeat towards high seeds and match favourites Spain within the championship ultimate.
The deciding match got here within the second singles, the place Pakistan’s Aqeel Khan went down 6-4, 6-2 to Spain’s Francisco Javier Martinez Baena in a battle between two of the match’s standout gamers.
Aqeel had loved an distinctive marketing campaign, recording a sequence of spectacular victories in singles and doubles alongside former Davis Cupper Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi. Nonetheless, after a number of consecutive days of bodily demanding, high-intensity matches, fatigue grew to become an element towards a contemporary and formidable Spanish aspect.
Pakistan’s street to the ultimate was marked by a string of notable victories over the US, Canada, hosts Portugal and Sweden, securing the group a spot on the championship podium.
The medal ceremony on the Jamor Tennis Centre in Portugal was attended by senior tennis officers, with Pakistan receiving the silver medals and runners-up trophy from the President of the Worldwide Tennis Federation and the President of the Portuguese Tennis Federation.
Paulo Domingues, Ambassador of Portugal to Pakistan, was additionally current on the ceremony, with the Pakistani group expressing its appreciation for his assist and encouragement all through their keep.
With greater than 30 nations and over 300 gamers collaborating within the championships, Pakistan emerged as the one Asian nation to win a medal, underlining the rising presence of Pakistani gamers on the worldwide Masters circuit.
Following the ceremony, Qureshi praised his teammates for his or her dedication and professionalism all through the match.
“This has been an unforgettable week for Pakistan tennis,” Qureshi mentioned, congratulating Aqeel Khan, Shehryar Salamat and Hadi Hussain for his or her dedication, professionalism and teamwork.
He additionally thanked the group’s sponsors — Lama Retail, SICAS Faculties, Tablevelics and Faizan Metal — for serving to make Pakistan’s participation doable.
Qureshi acknowledged the Pakistani media for its protection of the match, together with common match experiences, pictures and video updates, and thanked supporters in Pakistan and overseas for his or her encouragement.
He additionally expressed gratitude to Ambassador Domingues for attending the closing ceremony and supporting the group throughout its keep in Portugal.
“Gestures like these strengthen the friendship between our two international locations and meant an excellent deal to our group,” Qureshi mentioned.
The silver medal represents a landmark achievement for Pakistan on the ITF Masters World Crew Championships and caps a memorable marketing campaign constructed on resilience, sportsmanship and group unity.
