The Pakistan Under-12 tennis team advanced to the quarterfinals of the ATF Under-12 Intercontinental Championship in Kazakhstan after defeating New Zealand 2-1 in their final group match.
The young Pakistani side showcased determination and resilience, bouncing back strongly after a narrow defeat to South Korea in their earlier match.
Rashid Ali Leads the Way in Singles
In the first singles clash, Rashid Ali delivered a standout performance against New Zealand’s Hadley Erb. He won in straight sets 6-1, 7-5, giving Pakistan an early advantage in the tie.
However, Pakistan could not maintain its lead immediately, as Mohammad Shayan lost the second singles match to Lucas Nix of New Zealand by 6-4, 6-4. This leveled the contest at 1-1, setting up a decisive doubles showdown.
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Decisive Doubles Secures Pakistan’s Win
The final doubles match proved to be the turning point. Rashid Ali teamed up with Mohammad Shayan to face Lucas Nix and Hadley Erb. The Pakistani duo displayed excellent coordination and controlled the game, sealing a 6-1, 6-3 victory to confirm Pakistan’s place in the quarterfinals.
Group Stage Performance
Pakistan was placed in Group C alongside South Korea and New Zealand.
- Against South Korea, Pakistan fought hard but lost 2-1 in a close contest.
- Against New Zealand, the team bounced back with an impressive win to secure qualification.
Their reward is a quarterfinal clash against Australia, a team known for its strong youth development system.
Praise from Pakistan Tennis Federation
Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) President Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi congratulated the players on their achievement. He praised the youngsters for their spirited performances, especially against strong opponents like South Korea.
“Our young players have shown excellent skills and fighting spirit. Even in defeat against Korea, they competed bravely. I am confident they will continue this performance in the coming matches,” Qureshi said.
Looking Ahead
With Rashid Ali emerging as a key player and Shayan showing great potential, Pakistan’s Under-12 team has already exceeded expectations in the tournament. The quarterfinal against Australia will be another big test, but the team’s recent performances suggest they are ready to take on the challenge.
