KARACHI – In a commanding display of young talent and national pride, Pakistan’s under-12 boys’ tennis team surged into the final of the Asian Tennis Federation (ATF) South Asia Championship, defeating traditional rivals India with an emphatic 2-0 win in the semifinals on Thursday.

The matchup, often considered one of the fiercest rivalries in South Asian sports, turned out to be a one-sided affair. Pakistan’s Rashid Ali led the charge with a solid straight-sets win over B.C. Thanush Shekar, 6-2, 6-3. His teammate Muhammad Shayan Afridi followed with an even more dominant performance, dismantling Khatri Nayan 6-0, 6-1 to seal the victory.

With this win, Pakistan advances to the final, where they will face hosts Sri Lanka on Friday in what promises to be a thrilling title showdown.

A Nation Celebrates

Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) President Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi celebrated the team’s remarkable achievement, highlighting the significance of the victory.

“Defeating India at any level is always special,” Qureshi remarked. “These boys have shown incredible composure and skill. We’re hopeful they’ll carry this momentum into the final and bring the trophy home.”

Qureshi also drew attention to the contrast between this performance and Pakistan’s narrow loss to India in the U16 Davis Cup tie held in Kazakhstan last week, calling the U12 squad’s display “complete domination.”

Flawless Journey to the Final

PTF Secretary General Col Zia-ud-Din Tufail echoed the enthusiasm, commending the team’s flawless campaign thus far. “Their performance has been simply amazing,” he said. “They haven’t dropped a single match in the entire tournament.”

Pakistan’s road to the final was paved with convincing group stage wins, as they blanked the Maldives, Bangladesh, and Nepal 3-0 in each tie, showcasing consistency and depth in the young squad.

Now, with momentum on their side and a trophy within reach, the boys in green are set to face Sri Lanka in what could be a crowning moment for Pakistan’s youth tennis development.