ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s tennis veterans have etched their names into the history books with a historic silver medal at the ITF Masters World Team Championships in the 45+ age category, marking the nation’s best-ever performance at the prestigious event.
The Green Shirts’ remarkable campaign culminated in a closely contested final against top seeds and tournament favourites Spain at the Jamor Tennis Centre in Portugal.
Alhamadulliah 🙏🙏🙏
PAKISTAN ended up winning silver medal @worldtennis Championships for the very first time.
Super proud of my team mates .
A small gift to the Nation before Independence Day
Pakistan Zindabad pic.twitter.com/aD04OCo5gC— Aisam ul Haq Qureshi (@aisamhqureshi) August 8, 2026
The decisive contest came in the second singles, where Pakistan’s Aqeel Khan was beaten 6-4, 6-2 by Spain’s Francisco Javier Martinez Baena in a battle between two of the tournament’s leading players.
A campaign of grit and determination
Aqeel had enjoyed an outstanding campaign, registering a series of impressive victories in both singles and doubles alongside former Pakistan No. 1 Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi. However, after several consecutive days of demanding and high-intensity matches, fatigue proved a decisive factor against a fresh and formidable Spanish side.
Pakistan’s impressive journey to the final included victories over the United States, Canada, hosts Portugal and Sweden, earning the team a well-deserved place on the championship podium. Competing against more than 30 nations and over 300 players, Pakistan emerged as the only Asian country to win a medal at the championship, underlining the growing strength and competitiveness of Pakistani players in international Masters tennis.
Medal ceremony and recognition
The medal ceremony was held at the Jamor Tennis Centre, where Pakistan received the silver medals and runners-up trophy from the President of the International Tennis Federation and the President of the Portuguese Tennis Federation. The ceremony was also attended by Paulo Domingues, Ambassador of Portugal to Pakistan, whose presence and support were warmly appreciated by the Pakistani contingent.
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Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi celebrates team effort
Following the medal ceremony, Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi congratulated his teammates and thanked everyone who contributed to the team’s memorable campaign.
“This has been an unforgettable week for Pakistan tennis. I want to congratulate my teammates Aqeel Khan, Shehryar Salamat and Hadi Hussain for their commitment, professionalism and outstanding teamwork throughout the championship,” Aisam said. “Every member of the squad played an important role in helping us reach the final”.
Aisam also expressed his gratitude to the team’s sponsors, Lama Retail, SICAS Schools, Tablevelics and Faizan Steel, saying their generous support had made Pakistan’s participation possible.
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Strengthening Pakistan-Portugal Ties
Aisam extended special thanks to the Ambassador of Portugal to Pakistan, Paulo Domingues, for attending the closing medal ceremony and supporting the team during its stay in Portugal.
“Gestures like these strengthen the friendship between our two countries and meant a great deal to our team,” he said.
Pakistan’s historic silver medal is a fitting reward for a team that displayed resilience, sportsmanship, determination and unity throughout the championship.
The achievement comes just over a year after Pakistan secured a bronze medal at the 2025 ITF Masters World Championship in Turkey, marking the nation’s steady rise on the international Masters tennis circuit.
