Colombo, May 29, 2025: Pakistan’s under-12 boys’ tennis team delivered a commanding performance to defeat traditional rivals India and secure a place in the final of the Asian Tennis Federation (ATF) South Asia Championship.
In a high-stakes semifinal clash on Thursday, the young Pakistani players swept past India with a 2-0 victory. Rashid Ali set the tone by beating B.C. Thanush Shekar 6-2, 6-3, followed by Muhammad Shayan Afridi, who crushed Khatri Nayan 6-0, 6-1 in a clinical display of skill and composure.
With this emphatic win, Pakistan advances to the final, where they will face tournament hosts Sri Lanka on Friday.
Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) President Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi praised the team’s performance, calling the win a moment of national pride.
“Defeating India in a semifinal is a remarkable achievement,” he said. “We’re hopeful the boys will maintain this form and bring the trophy home.”
Qureshi also noted the sharp contrast between this result and the recent close loss suffered by Pakistan’s U-16 Davis Cup team against India in Kazakhstan. “This was nothing short of dominance,” he added.
PTF Secretary General Col Zia-ud-Din Tufail echoed the sentiment, commending the young athletes for their outstanding run. “Their performance throughout the tournament has been nothing less than extraordinary,” he remarked.
Pakistan reached the semifinals after an unbeaten run in the group stage, posting 3-0 wins over Maldives, Bangladesh, and Nepal.
As the boys prepare for the final showdown against Sri Lanka, the nation watches with anticipation, hoping for a championship victory that would mark a significant milestone in Pakistan’s junior tennis history.
