Maldives, September 19, 2025: Pakistan’s beach handball team continued their dominant run at the Commonwealth Beach Handball Championship, notching their second successive win by defeating Sri Lanka on Friday.
The men in green clinched the victory in straight sets, edging Sri Lanka 20-18 in the first before storming to a commanding 23-6 triumph in the second. Asif Ali’s all-round display earned him the Man of the Match award.
This latest win comes on the heels of Pakistan’s emphatic opening-day performance, where they swept archrivals India 2-0 on Thursday at the Kulhudhuffushi City Beach Handball Court. Pakistan overpowered India 26-9 in the first set and sealed the contest with a 34-12 win in the second, with Ahmed Hassan Baig’s standout performance securing him the Man of the Match honor.
The championship, running from September 18 to 24, features six participating teams playing in a league format, with the top four sides advancing to the semifinals. Pakistan will next face hosts Maldives later tonight, followed by key fixtures against South Africa and Bangladesh on Saturday.
Beyond the scoreline, the India-Pakistan clash also showcased a rare moment of camaraderie as players from both sides exchanged handshakes and warm gestures—an image of sportsmanship contrasting with recent strains in bilateral cricketing relations.
With back-to-back victories, Pakistan have emerged as one of the early favorites for the title and will look to maintain their winning momentum as the tournament enters a crucial phase.
