Pakistan’s tennis team made history by securing a bronze medal at the ITF Masters 45+ World Championship in Turkey, marking the country’s first-ever podium finish at the prestigious event.
Competing for the first time in the tournament, the Pakistani squad—led by captain Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, alongside Aqeel Khan and Shehryar Salamat—delivered outstanding performances against some of the world’s strongest tennis nations.
Dominant Group Stage and Thrilling Knockout Rounds
The Dubler Cup (45+ men’s team event), held in Manavgat, Turkiye, featured 21 nations. Pakistan impressed early on, crushing Romania and the host nation with back-to-back 3-0 wins, according to the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF).
In the quarterfinals, Pakistan edged out the Czech Republic 2-1 in a tightly contested battle to advance to the semifinals. Though the team faced a setback in the final four, they rebounded in the third-place match, defeating Germany 2-1 to clinch the bronze medal.
Decisive Performance Against Germany
The final showdown saw a dramatic turn of events. Qureshi had to retire from his singles match, but Aqeel Khan stepped up with a commanding victory in his singles match. The duo then teamed up for a crucial doubles win, securing Pakistan’s place on the podium.
Looking Ahead: Individual Events
Following their team success, Pakistan’s players will now shift their focus to the individual competitions in the second week of the championship, as confirmed by the PTF.
This remarkable achievement not only highlights Pakistan’s growing presence in international tennis but also serves as an inspiration for future generations of athletes in the country.
